Bill Sponsor
Virginia Senate Bill 351
Session 2026
Courthouses; definition of "arrest under civil process," certain civil arrests prohibited, penalty.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on Feb 3, 2026
First Action
Jan 13, 2026
Latest Action
Feb 6, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
351
State
Virginia
Session
2026
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-327.1 and 8.01-327.2 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 5 of Chapter 8 of Title 8.01 sections numbered 8.01-327.3 and 8.01-327.4, relating to certain civil arrests prohibited in courthouses; penalty. 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 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.
Actions (15)
02/06/2026
House
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
02/06/2026
House
Read first time
02/06/2026
House
Placed on Calendar
02/03/2026
Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
02/02/2026
Senate
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
02/02/2026
Senate
Committee substitute agreed to (Voice Vote)
02/02/2026
Senate
Read second time
02/02/2026
Senate
Committee substitute printed 26106261D-S1
01/30/2026
Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
01/30/2026
Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
01/30/2026
Senate
Rules suspended
01/28/2026
Senate
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 6-N)
01/28/2026
Senate
Senate committee offered
01/13/2026
Senate
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/13/2026
Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101062D
Sources
Record Created
Jan 20, 2026 9:52:36 PM
Record Updated
Feb 8, 2026 9:40:22 PM