summary
Introduced
01/09/2026
01/09/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
02/09/2026
02/09/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Divorce; adultery; filing; parties living separate and apart. Specifies that a divorce may be decreed on the grounds of adultery, provided that such adultery occurred prior to the final separation of the parties. The bill further allows for a divorce from bed and board to be decreed on the application of either party upon the parties living separate and apart; under current law, a divorce from bed and board may only be decreed for cruelty, reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, willful desertion, or abandonment. The bill specifies that no waiting period is required for the filing for such a divorce, but the decree of such a divorce may only be decreed pursuant to certain requirements otherwise specified in the law.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Virginia's divorce laws by specifying that adultery can be grounds for divorce only if it occurred before the couple's final separation. It also expands the reasons for a "divorce from bed and board," which is a legal separation rather than a full dissolution of marriage, allowing either party to seek this type of divorce if they have been living separately with the intent to remain permanently apart, whereas previously it was only granted for specific fault-based reasons like cruelty or desertion. Importantly, the bill removes any waiting period for filing for a divorce from bed and board on these grounds, though the final decree still must meet other legal requirements.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (on 02/11/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB303 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB303/text/HB303 |
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