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HB 1070 VA
Passed One Chamber

Prior conviction; procedure for use as element of offense charged.

VA · session 2027 · Assembly / House · bill

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Introduced Jan 14, 2026

Latest action (Jul 21, 2026) Continued from last session

Summary

This bill would establish procedures for using prior convictions as part of the offense charged in criminal cases. Some crimes are enhanced or have different elements depending on an individual's prior criminal history (for example, repeat offenses, habitual offender status, or prior felony convictions). The bill would create rules governing how and when prior adjudications or convictions can be used as elements of the current offense being prosecuted. The procedures would protect defendants' rights while establishing clear rules for considering prior criminal history in charging 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 the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-263.4, relating to procedure for use of prior adjudication, conviction, or status as element of offense charged.

Sponsor (1)

Action history (17)
  1. Jan 14, 2026 Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104723D · lower
  2. Jan 14, 2026 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice · lower
  3. Jan 29, 2026 Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal · lower
  4. Feb 2, 2026 Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1070) · lower
  5. Feb 4, 2026 House subcommittee offered · lower
  6. Feb 4, 2026 Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N) · lower
  7. Feb 11, 2026 Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N) · lower
  8. Feb 11, 2026 Committee substitute printed 26107072D-H1 · lower
  9. Feb 13, 2026 Read first time · lower
  10. Feb 16, 2026 Read second time · lower
  11. Feb 16, 2026 committee substitute agreed to · lower
  12. Feb 16, 2026 Engrossed by House - committee substitute · lower
  13. Feb 17, 2026 Read third time and passed House (60-Y 35-N 0-A) · lower
  14. Feb 18, 2026 Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) · upper
  15. Feb 18, 2026 Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice · upper
  16. Mar 4, 2026 Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) · upper
  17. Jul 21, 2026 Continued from last session · upper

Full text

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