Bill
Bill > HB1432
summary
Introduced
01/22/2026
01/22/2026
In Committee
02/11/2026
02/11/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Underage consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage or marijuana or marijuana products; consequences; procedures. Reduces the penalties for underage consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages or marijuana or marijuana products to a written warning for a first violation, a written warning and the provision of informational materials about how to access community services for a second violation, and a write-up and an optional referral for accessing community services for a third or subsequent violation. Under current law, underage consumption, purchase, or possession of alcoholic beverages is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor with a period of license suspension and an option for a deferred dismissal in certain circumstances. The current penalties for underage consumption or possession of marijuana or marijuana products is a civil penalty of $25 and an order to enter a substance abuse treatment or education program. The bill also provides that such underage persons are not capable of giving lawful consent to a search and that the unconcealed possession of an alcoholic beverage or marijuana or marijuana products shall not constitute probable cause to initiate a search of a person or that person's personal property to determine any further violations of law. The bill specifies that such underage persons shall not be subject to arrest or otherwise detained or taken into custody by a law-enforcement officer and that a law-enforcement officer's body-worn camera system shall be activated during any encounter involving an underage person suspected to be in violation of such provisions. The bill also puts limits on the dissemination and retention of any law-enforcement records related to violations of such provisions.
AI Summary
This bill proposes significant changes to how underage consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages, marijuana, or marijuana products is handled, shifting away from criminal penalties towards a graduated system of warnings and educational resources. For a first offense, an individual under 21 caught with alcohol or marijuana will receive a written warning. A second offense will result in a written warning and the provision of information on accessing community services. Subsequent offenses will lead to a written report and an optional referral to community services. The bill also clarifies that individuals under 21 cannot legally consent to a search for these violations, and the mere visible presence of alcohol or marijuana in plain sight will not be enough for law enforcement to initiate a search for further offenses. Furthermore, individuals under 21 will not be subject to arrest, detention, or being taken into custody for these specific violations, unless they are also committing another offense for which arrest is permitted. Law enforcement officers will be required to activate their body-worn cameras during any encounter related to these underage violations, and there will be limitations on how long law enforcement records of these violations can be kept and shared. The bill also addresses possession or consumption on school grounds, specifying that individuals 21 and older face a Class 2 misdemeanor, while those younger than 21 will be subject to the new graduated warning system outlined in the bill, with school principals also required to notify parents of alleged violations.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Continued pursuant to House Rule 22 to 2027 in Courts of Justice (on 02/17/2026)
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/HB1432 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1432/text/HB1432H2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1432/text/HB1432H1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1432/text/HB1432HC2 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1432/text/HB1432HC1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1432/text/HB1432 |
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