(HB1222) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION I approve the general purpose of this bill, but I am returning it without my signature with the request that the attached Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute (26110406D) be accepted.
Virginia2026Enacted
HB1222
Recording Child Welfare Interviews
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 5:26 AM
In one sentence
This act requires local departments of social services to record interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations and family assessments unless there is a good reason not to.
What it does
- Requires local social service departments to record all child welfare interviews during investigations or family assessments, except when there's a valid reason not to.
Who it affects
- Local departments of social services
- People involved in child abuse and neglect investigations or family assessments
Limits and unknowns
- The bill was vetoed by the Governor due to concerns about providing discretion within social services when recording is unnecessary or not beneficial for the child.
- It's unclear how this change will affect the current Differential Response System used in Virginia.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Child welfare interview
- A conversation between a local department of social services and someone related to an investigation or assessment about child abuse or neglect.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Local departments of social services; child abuse and neglect; recorded interviews. Requires local departments of social services, unless otherwise demonstrated by good cause shown, to record any child welfare interview, defined in the bill. Under the bill, any person may record any communications between themselves and child-protective services personnel that take place during the course of an investigation or family assessment. Under current law, only a person who is suspected of abuse or neglect of a child and who is the subject of an investigation or family assessment may record such communications.
Official activity
Bill history
- Governor's Veto Received by HouseHouse
- Vetoed by GovernorGovernor
- Communicated to GovernorHouse
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026Governor
- Passed by for the dayHouse
- Passed by for the dayHouse
- Governor's recommendation received by HouseGovernor
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1222)House
- Signed by SpeakerHouse
- Signed by PresidentSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1222ER)House
- Senate amendments agreed to by House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)House
- Read third timeSenate
- Engrossed by Senate as amendedSenate
- Passed Senate with substituteSenate
- Passed Senate with amendment Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate
- Rehabilitation and Social Services Amendments agreed toRehabilitation and Social Services
Changes
Amendments
4 stored
2026 SESSION HOUSE SUBSTITUTE 26110406D HOUSE BILL NO.
2/23/2026 (HB1222) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES 1.
2/24/2026 (HB1222) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES 1.