Bill
Bill > HB1215
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Admission of evidence; evidentiary hearing; excluded persons. Exempts no more than two persons whose presence, in the judgment of the court, would be supportive of the complaining witness and would not impair the conduct of a fair hearing or pose a substantial risk of influencing or affecting the content of the testimony from being excluded from evidentiary hearings for certain prosecutions. The bill provides that if such support persons are exempted, the judge shall admonish such support persons to not prompt, communicate with, or influence the complaining witness in any way. Lastly, the bill provides that a court may exercise its discretion to remove a support person from the courtroom if it believes such support person is prompting, communicating with, or influencing the complaining witness.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing law regarding evidentiary hearings in certain prosecutions, specifically those involving sexual offenses. It allows for up to two individuals, chosen by the court, to be present to support the complaining witness during these hearings, provided their presence won't disrupt the fairness of the proceedings or influence testimony. If these support persons are allowed, the judge must instruct them not to communicate with or influence the complaining witness, and the court retains the discretion to remove a support person if they violate these instructions. The bill also makes a minor technical correction to the language regarding when new information discovered during a trial might necessitate a further evidentiary hearing.
Committee Categories
Education, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Left in Committee Courts of Justice (on 02/18/2026)
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/HB1215 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1215/text/HB1215 |
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