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Bill > HB1471
VA HB1471
VA HB1471Aggravated murder; assault & battery of correctional officer, custodial employee of DOC, penalties.
summary
Introduced
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
In Committee
01/23/2026
01/23/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Aggravated murder; assault and battery; correctional officer; custodial employee of Department of Corrections; penalties. Adds to the definition of aggravated murder, which is a Class 1 felony, the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of a correctional officer, defined in relevant law, when such killing is for the purpose of interfering with the performance of his official duties. The bill also expands the definition of aggravated murder to include the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of any person by a prisoner confined in a juvenile correctional facility, defined in relevant law. The bill provides that if any person maliciously causes bodily injury to another by any means, including the means set out in existing law, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill, and knowing or having reason to know that such other person is a correctional officer, as defined in relevant law, engaged in the performance of his public duties as a correctional officer, such person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than five years nor more than 30 years and, subject to existing law, a fine of not more than $100,000; upon conviction, the sentence of such person shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of two years. The bill also provides that if any person unlawfully, but not maliciously, with the intent aforesaid, causes bodily injury to another by any means, knowing or having reason to know such other person is a correctional officer engaged in the performance of his public duties as a correctional officer, he is guilty of a Class 6 felony, and upon conviction, the sentence of such person shall include a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of one year. Lastly, the bill provides that if an assault and battery upon (i) a correctional officer; (ii) a person directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections; (iii) an employee of a local or regional correctional facility directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of inmates in the custody of the facility; or (iv) a person directly involved in the care, treatment, or supervision of persons in the custody of or under the supervision of the Department of Juvenile Justice involves the use of any bodily fluid or excrement from such person charged, the sentence of such person, upon conviction, shall include a mandatory minimum term of confinement of three years.
AI Summary
This bill expands the definition of aggravated murder, a Class 1 felony, to include the intentional killing of a correctional officer (defined as an employee of the Department of Corrections or a juvenile correctional facility) when done to interfere with their official duties, and also includes the intentional killing of any person by a prisoner in a juvenile correctional facility. It also increases penalties for assaulting or causing bodily injury to correctional officers and other designated personnel, making it a felony punishable by at least five years and up to 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of two years, if done maliciously with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill, and knowing they are a correctional officer on duty. If the assault is unlawful but not malicious, it's a Class 6 felony with a mandatory minimum of one year. Furthermore, any assault and battery against a correctional officer, or certain other employees involved in inmate care and supervision, that involves the use of bodily fluids or excrement from the accused will result in a mandatory minimum of three years imprisonment.
Committee Categories
Education, Justice
Sponsors (2)
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/HB1471 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1471) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1097193.PDF |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/23/2026 3:18 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1096027.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1471/text/HB1471 |
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