HB561
Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests, repeat offenders, ignition interlocks.
Status:
Passed
Latest Action:
March 11, 2026
House: Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Patrick Hope (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests; repeat offenders; ignition interlocks.
Permits a court to issue a restricted license with immediate installation of ignition interlock systems for certain offenders charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal of tests, or repeat offender violations. The bill also directs the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program to convene a work group to evaluate ... (More) the provisions governing driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and submit recommendations and a draft report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2026. Current law requires various time limits of driver's license suspension for such violations before a restricted license may be issued. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105186D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 02/02/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/04/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 02/04/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)
- 02/10/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/11/2026 - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)
- 02/13/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/16/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/16/2026 - House: committee amendments agreed to
- 02/16/2026 - House: Engrossed by House as amended
- 02/17/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/18/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 03/05/2026 - Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 2-N)
- 03/05/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 03/09/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Read third time
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended
- 03/10/2026 - Senate: Passed Senate with amendments (35-Y 5-N 0-A)
- 03/11/2026 - House: Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)
