Bill > HB1517

This bill amends Virginia law concerning divorce records, specifically focusing on the sealing of these records. Currently, a judge has the discretion to seal a divorce record or an agreement between parties if a party requests it. However, this bill mandates that courts *must* order the sealing or partial sealing of a divorce record or agreement upon a party's request, unless there is "good cause shown" to keep it public. "Good cause shown" means there is a valid reason, supported by evidence, why the record should not be sealed. The bill also clarifies that while agreements can be sealed upon request (with the good cause exception), court rulings and orders themselves will only be sealed if there is "good cause shown." This change shifts the process from being discretionary for the judge to being mandatory, with a specific exception for good cause.