HB 863 VA
Offenses, certain; elimination of mandatory minimum sentences.
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Summary
Virginia House Bill 863 would eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for certain criminal offenses in Virginia. The bill would amend the Virginia Code for numerous offenses to remove mandatory minimum sentencing requirements, giving judges more discretion in sentencing decisions.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill (from the OpenStates abstract — no full text available yet) — neutral, and may be imperfect.
Official abstract
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 3.2-4212, 4.1-302, 16.1-253.2, 18.2-36.1, 18.2-36.2, 18.2-46.3:3, 18.2-51.1, 18.2-53.1, 18.2-57, 18.2-60.4, 18.2-61, 18.2-67.1, 18.2-67.2, 18.2-67.5:2, 18.2-67.5:3, 18.2-154, 18.2-186.4, 18.2-248, 18.2-248.01, 18.2-248.03, 18.2-248.1, 18.2-248.5, 18.2-255, 18.2-255.2, 18.2-270, 18.2-308.1, 18.2-308.2, 18.2-308.2:2, 18.2-308.4, 18.2-374.1, 18.2-374.1:1, 18.2-374.3, 19.2-160.1, 19.2-297.1, 46.2-341.28, 46.2-391, 53.1-116, and 53.1-203 of the Code of Virginia, relating to elimination of mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses.
Sponsor (1)
- Rae Cousins Democratic · primary
Action history (7)
- Jan 13, 2026 Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102686D · lower
- Jan 13, 2026 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice · lower
- Feb 3, 2026 Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal · lower
- Feb 4, 2026 Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote) · lower
- Feb 5, 2026 Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB863) · lower
- Mar 6, 2026 Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (3/6/2026 3:51 pm) · lower
- Jul 21, 2026 Continued from last session · lower
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