(HB872) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION 1.
Virginia2026Enacted
HB872
Rules for Portable Electronic Devices in Courts
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 5:26 AM
In one sentence
This act requires chief judges to create policies about portable electronic devices in district and circuit courts, which must be posted at entrances and on websites.
What it does
- Requires the chief judge of each general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, and circuit court to set a policy for visitors' use of portable electronic devices.
- Allows chief judges to condition the use of these devices with certain limitations.
- Requires that policies be posted at courthouse entrances and available on official websites.
Who it affects
- Visitors to district and circuit courts who bring portable electronic devices.
- Chief judges of general district courts, juvenile and domestic relations district courts, and circuit courts.
Limits and unknowns
- The bill does not specify what happens if a visitor violates the policy.
- It is unclear how policies will be enforced across different courthouses within the same building.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Portable Electronic Device
- Includes items like laptops, tablets, mobile phones, smartwatches, and other similar devices but excludes cameras or recording equipment used solely for that purpose.
- Visitor to the Court
- Refers to members of the public who are not judges, magistrates, attorneys with valid state bar identification cards, law enforcement officers, probation officers, court reporters, or other individuals authorized by the sheriff.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Possession of portable electronic device in district or circuit court. Requires the chief judge of each general district court, juvenile and domestic relations district court, and circuit court to set a policy regarding the use and possession of portable electronic devices by visitors to the court. The bill authorizes such chief judge to condition the use and possession of portable electronic devices upon certain limitations. The bill also requires that any such policy be conspicuously posted at the entrance of the courthouse and available on the Virginia Judicial System's website, the district or circuit court's individual website, or a local government website that also has information about such district or circuit court.
Official activity
Bill history
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 1130 (effective 7/1/2026)Governor
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1130)Governor
- Communicated to GovernorHouse
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026Governor
- Governor's recommendation passed byHouse
- Governor's recommendation passed byHouse
- Governor's recommendation received by HouseGovernor
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026House
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
- Signed by SpeakerHouse
- Signed by PresidentSenate
- EnrolledHouse
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB872ER)House
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)House
- Senate substitute agreed to by House (88-Y 6-N 0-A)House
- Read third timeSenate
- Read third timeSenate
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substituteSenate
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB872)Courts of Justice
- Courts of Justice Substitute agreed toCourts of Justice
Changes
Amendments
1 stored