Virginia Senate Bill 18
Session 2026
Children; adjudication of delinquency.
Introduced
Introduced in Senate on Nov 17, 2025
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
18
State
Virginia
Session
2026
Motion Text
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Senate Roll Call Votes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Michael J. Jones
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-228, 16.1-246, 16.1-278.8, and 18.2-371 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 16.1-278.9:1, relating to children; adjudication of delinquency.
Children; adjudication of delinquency. Specifies that "delinquent child" means a child 11 years of age or older who has committed a delinquent act. Currently, there is no minimum age for a child to be adjudicated delinquent. The bill provides that if a child younger than 11 years of age is found to have committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older, the child shall not be proceeded upon as delinquent; however, the court may make any orders of disposition authorized for a child in need of services or a child in need of supervision. The bill also provides that any funding that is available to provide services to a child 11 years of age or older who is proceeded upon as delinquent shall also be made available to a child younger than 11 years of age who is found to have committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older in order to provide such child with the same services. The bill includes in the definition of "child in need of services" a child younger than 11 years of age who has committed an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older. The bill adds that a child may be taken into immediate custody when such child is alleged to be in need of services or supervision and there is a clear and substantial danger to the safety of the child's family or the safety of the public. Currently, a child may be taken into immediate custody when such child is alleged to be in need of services or supervision and there is a clear and substantial danger to the child's life or health. Finally, the bill includes in the offense of causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc., any person 18 years of age or older, including the parent of any child, who willfully contributes to, encourages, or causes any act, omission, or condition that (i) causes a child younger than 11 years of age to commit an act that would be delinquent if committed by a child 11 years of age or older or (ii) causes any child to participate in or become a member of a criminal street gang in violation of existing law. Under the bill, any person who commits such offense is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB18)
Sort by most recent
01/20/2026
Senate
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
01/20/2026
Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
01/20/2026
Senate
Rules suspended
01/19/2026
Senate
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (14-Y 1-N)
01/08/2026
Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB18)
11/17/2025
Senate
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
11/17/2025
Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100547D
Sources
VA Legislature
Open States
Record Created
Dec 14, 2025 3:02:21 PM
Record Updated
Jan 20, 2026 9:47:20 PM