HB1392
Correctional facilities, local and regional, and courthouse security; powers & duties for operation.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Feb. 5, 2026
House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1392)
Chief Patron:
Karen Keys-Gamarra (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Powers and duties for operation of local and regional correctional facilities and courthouse security; attorney access to courthouses and communication and visitation with incarcerated clients; penalty.
Provides that if a sheriff allows courthouse employees, law-enforcement officers, or both to bypass any security screening required to enter a courthouse, such sheriff shall also exempt from the security screening any attorney who displays a valid Virginia State Bar-issued bar card and a government-issued identification. The bill creates a ... (More) Class 1 misdemeanor for any attorney who has had his license to practice law in the Commonwealth suspended or revoked and who displays a Virginia State Bar-issued bar card in an effort to be exempt from the security screening. The bill also requires the State Board of Local and Regional Jails to develop and establish minimum standards to ensure that attorneys have sufficient opportunities to have confidential visits with their clients and requires sheriffs or jail superintendents to provide a telephonic, electronic, or web-based communication method for prisoners in local correctional facilities to communicate with attorneys. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/21/2026 - House: Presented and ordered printed 26105053D
- 01/21/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Public Safety
- 02/03/2026 - House: Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #2
- 02/03/2026 - House: Placed on Public Safety Agenda
- 02/05/2026 - House: House subcommittee offered
- 02/05/2026 - House: Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (5-Y 2-N)
- 02/05/2026 - House: Placed on Public Safety Agenda
- 02/05/2026 - House: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1392)
