Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
SB 294 requires courts and parties in criminal or juvenile delinquency cases to redact identifying information (like names, addresses, or details that could reveal identity) from court filings and records involving victims of sexual assault or stalking. It directly affects these victims by preventing public disclosure of their personal details in court documents, unless a court finds "good cause" to allow it. The bill mandates that courts automatically redact such information upon request from a victim of sexual assault or stalking, and prohibits disclosure to nonparties without redaction. This applies to all court filings, including charging documents, and covers both current and existing case records. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 21, 2026
Signed May 12, 2026
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What changed between versions
First - Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
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Third - Criminal Procedure – Protection of Identity of Victim of Sexual Assault or Stalking
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill expands protections for victims of sexual assault and stalking by adding a new exception that allows health occupations boards to request unredacted court records to investigate professional misconduct. Previously, these boards were barred from accessing such records unless the victim explicitly waived their privacy rights; now, the law permits disclosure if the board petitions the court and the victim does not object. This change aims to balance victim privacy with the public interest in disciplining healthcare and other licensed professionals accused of sexual misconduct.
Scope change
The bill's scope broadened from a strict prohibition on sharing victim records to include a specific pathway for health occupations boards to access unredacted records for disciplinary investigations, provided the victim is notified and does not object.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a specific exception allowing health occupations boards to petition the court for unredacted records to investigate licensed defendants for sexual misconduct.
REQUIREMENT
Requires the State's Attorney to notify victims when a board petitions for unredacted records, informing them of the request and their right to object.
Mandates that health occupations boards receiving unredacted records for disciplinary purposes cannot publicly disclose those records.
ENFORCEMENT
Establishes that a victim's failure to object to a board's petition constitutes 'good cause' for the court to allow the release of unredacted records.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 22, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 25, 2026
How they voted
45–0
Passed · 4 other
Total votes 49
Feb 22, 2026
D
Democratic36
88% Yea
R
Republican13
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
10
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by the Governor - Chapter 542
executive
Apr 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Returned Passed
upper
Apr 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable Report by Judiciary
lower
Mar 25, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (129-0-13)
house of delegates
Mar 6, 2026
Committee
Referred Judiciary
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third Reading Passed
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments {
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Favorable with Amendments Report by Judicial Proceedings
upper
Feb 22, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (45-0-4)
senate
Jan 21, 2026
Committee
First Reading Judicial Proceedings
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Sara Love
DDemocratic
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