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Bill > HB73


VA HB73

VA HB73
Juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody.


summary

Introduced
12/31/2025
In Committee
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
02/02/2026
Passed
04/06/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/06/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody; custodians. Allows the custodian of a child to file a petition for relief of the care and custody of such child in a juvenile and domestic relations district court. Current law only authorizes the parent or parents of a child to file such petition for relief of care and custody. The bill also requires the petitioning parent or custodian to cooperate with any services provided by a local department of social services during the initial investigation by such local department of social services after such petition for relief of care and custody has been filed. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth and is identical to SB 206. 

AI Summary

This bill expands the ability to petition for relief of care and custody of a child in juvenile and domestic relations district courts by allowing not only parents but also other custodians to file such petitions, which is a change from current law that limited this right to parents. Additionally, the bill mandates that any parent or custodian filing such a petition must cooperate with services offered by the local department of social services during their initial investigation into the case. This legislation is a recommendation of the Virginia Commission on Youth and is identical to another bill, SB 206.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (3)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0058) (on 04/06/2026)

Bill Topics

Law, Crime, and Family Issues
  • ‐ Child Abuse and Child Custody
Social Welfare
  • ‐ Family Issues

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location Created
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB73 12/31/2025
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB73/text/CHAP0058 04/08/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB73/text/HB73ER 02/25/2026
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB73) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1179630.PDF 02/25/2026
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB73) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1097042.PDF 01/26/2026
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB73/text/HB73 12/31/2025
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