HB 681 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Retired law-enforcement officers; emergency and temporary detention admissions.

Summary

Retired law-enforcement officers; emergency and temporary detention admissions. Clarifies that the term "law-enforcement officer" as used in relevant law relating to emergency and involuntary civil admissions includes retired law-enforcement officers, defined in the bill, for the purposes of laws related to emergency custody and involuntary temporary detention.The provisions of this bill are identical to relevant provisions of SB 75.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled → Chaptered · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill formally enacts changes to Virginia's mental health emergency custody laws, converting them from temporary measures set to expire on July 1, 2026, into permanent statutes effective July 1, 2026. The primary substantive change involves removing the expiration date from the emergency custody section, ensuring these protections and procedures remain in force indefinitely. The text also updates formatting and removes references to the 'Enrolled' status, finalizing the bill as Chapter 661 of the 2026 Acts.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifts from temporary legislation with an expiration date to permanent law, removing the July 1, 2026 sunset clause from the emergency custody provisions.

TIMELINE

The expiration date of July 1, 2026, was removed from the emergency custody section (§ 37.2-808), making the provisions permanent effective July 1, 2026.

TECHNICAL

The document header was updated from 'Enrolled' to 'Chaptered' and the bill number is now listed as Chapter 661.

Formatting and spacing were adjusted to reflect the final published version of the Code of Virginia.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 3, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 9, 2026

How they voted

39–0

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

Key actions

Committee

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 661 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB681ER)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Feb 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time and passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)

lower

Jan 21, 2026

Committee

Assigned sub: Behavioral Health

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors