SB351
Courthouses; definition of "arrest under civil process," certain civil arrests prohibited, penalty.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 3, 2026
Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
Chief Patron:
Saddam Azlan Salim (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Certain civil arrests prohibited in courthouses; penalty.
Provides that a party who is required to attend any court of the Commonwealth, or such party's family or household member or person attending the court with such party to serve as a witness, shall be privileged from civil arrest, defined in the bill, while attending, going to, or coming ... (More) from the court. The bill also prohibits a person with the lawful authority to perform civil arrests from entering a courthouse to conduct a civil arrest unless he complies with certain requirements, including presenting a judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing the civil arrest to the appropriate courthouse officer or employee. Additionally, the bill requires that any judicial warrant or judicial order authorizing the civil arrest be reviewed by a designated judicial officer or attorney before a civil arrest pursuant to such warrant or order can be performed. Finally, the bill provides that any person who conducts a civil arrest, or facilitates or assists with the performance of, a civil arrest in violation of the provisions of the bill shall be punished with contempt of court. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101062D
- 01/13/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 01/28/2026 - Senate: Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Rules suspended
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106261D-S1
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Read second time
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
- 02/02/2026 - Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
- 02/03/2026 - Senate: Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A) Close Floor Vote
