HB 1140 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Drug-related investigations; use of confidential informants.

Summary
Use of confidential informants in drug-related investigations. Directs the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a model policy for the use of confidential informants in drug-related investigations and to include in such model policy that (i) no individual currently on probation or pretrial may serve as a confidential informant without notice to his probation, pretrial services, or parole officer; (ii) no individual who has, within the last six months, been found to have violated the terms of his probation or parole shall serve as a confidential informant whose testimony may be necessary in the prosecution of a criminal matter in the courts of the Commonwealth; (iii) law-enforcement personnel shall obtain approval from the appropriate local attorney for the Commonwealth prior to working with a confidential informant; and (iv) such confidential informant shall not unlawfully use or possess any controlled substances.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 3 edits · Mar 13, 2026
MINOR
The primary substantive change is the addition of a new model policy for the use of confidential informants in drug-related investigations. This policy restricts the use of informants who are currently on probation or parole and requires approval from a local attorney before an informant can be used. The rest of the document consists of formatting updates and layout adjustments typical of converting a bill from an 'Engrossed' version to an 'Enrolled' version, with no other changes to the training standards or duties listed in the statute.
Scope change
The scope of the bill's requirements was expanded to include specific restrictions and approval processes for confidential informants in drug investigations.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that no individual currently on probation or pretrial status may serve as a confidential informant without notice to their supervising officer.

Added a requirement that no individual who has recently violated the terms of their probation or parole may serve as a confidential informant.

Added a requirement that law enforcement must obtain approval from the appropriate local attorney for the Commonwealth before working with a confidential informant.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Mar 3, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
36
Key actions
16
Committee
10
Amendments
5
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 742 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1140ER)
lower
Mar 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate amendment agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with amendment (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by Senate as amended
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Courts of Justice Amendment agreed to
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment (13-Y 0-N 2-A)
upper
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
Feb 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Introduced
Engrossed by House as amended
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
committee amendments agreed to
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Committee
Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety
lower
Feb 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Public Safety with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Assigned HMPPS sub: Subcommittee #2
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Public Safety
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mike Cherry
Mike Cherry
RRepublican
VA
74