VA HB1476

Bill

VA HB1476

Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records.

Introduced
01/23/2026

In Committee
03/04/2026

Crossed Over
03/11/2026

Passed
04/13/2026

Dead

Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/13/2026

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment

2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies; closed meetings; disclosure of certain law-enforcement records. Provides an exemption to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to allow closed meetings for discussion or consideration by any law-enforcement civilian oversight body established pursuant to general law or established by a local governing body before July 1, 2020, and operating in a manner consistent with such law of the criminal investigative files, audit findings, and deliberations regarding police operations related to a specific complaint before the body involving any violation or attempted violation of certain offenses. The bill allows inspection of certain law-enforcement records concerning juveniles by such civilian oversight bodies when required to perform their duties and by any independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body to support such civilian oversight body. Finally, the bill allows disclosure of certain information regarding crimes involving sexual assault, sexual abuse, or family abuse to such civilian oversight body and independent policing auditor, manager, director, or other person appointed by the local governing body.

AI Summary

This bill amends Virginia law to allow law-enforcement civilian oversight bodies, which are established to review police conduct, to hold closed meetings to discuss specific criminal investigative files, audit findings, and deliberations related to complaints involving certain serious offenses, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, and family abuse. It also permits these oversight bodies, along with independent policing auditors appointed by local governments, to inspect certain law-enforcement records concerning juveniles when necessary for their duties, and allows for the disclosure of information about sexual assault, sexual abuse, or family abuse cases to these oversight bodies and auditors. The bill aims to balance the need for transparency in law enforcement with the protection of sensitive information and the privacy of individuals involved in investigations.

Committee Categories

Justice, Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (1)

Charlie Schmidt (D)*,

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0861) (on 04/13/2026)

Official Document

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/CHAP0861
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1476)	https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1215107.PDF
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476ER
Senate Amendments	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476EDOC
General Laws and Technology Amendment	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476AS1
General Laws and Technology Amendment	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476ASC1
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1476)	https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1168106.PDF
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476H1
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476HC2
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476HC1
BillText	https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1476/text/HB1476

Bill > HB1476

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary