HB872
Portable electronic devices; district or circuit court, policies set by chief judge.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Feb. 11, 2026
Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Chief Patron:
Rae Cousins (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Passed House of Origin. Possession of portable electronic device in district or circuit court.
Requires the chief judge of each general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, and circuit court to set a policy regarding the use and possession of portable electronic devices, defined in the bill as a personal laptop, a tablet, a mobile telephone, an electronic calendar, an electronic book ... (More) reader, a smart watch, or any other electronic personal communication device, by members of the public who are not otherwise authorized to use or possess such portable electronic devices. The bill sets forth what additional provisions are required to be included in such policy depending upon whether the chief judge of the district or circuit court prohibits, restricts, or allows the use or possession of such portable electronic devices in the courthouse, courtrooms, or both. The bill also requires that any such policy be conspicuously posted at the entrance of the courthouse and available on the Virginia Judicial System's website, the district or circuit court's individual website, or a local government website that also has information about such district or circuit court. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103145D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/29/2026 - House: Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
- 01/29/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/02/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)
- 02/02/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 1-N)
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Courts of Justice Agenda
- 02/04/2026 - House: Committee substitute printed 26106903D-H1
- 02/04/2026 - House: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
- 02/06/2026 - House: Read first time
- 02/09/2026 - House: Read second time
- 02/09/2026 - House: committee substitute agreed to
- 02/09/2026 - House: Engrossed by House - committee substitute
- 02/10/2026 - House: Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 02/11/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- 02/11/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
