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Virginia2026Enacted

SB173

No Weapons in Hospitals with Mental Health or Developmental Services

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 5:26 AM

In one sentence

This law makes it illegal to bring weapons like guns, certain knives, and other dangerous items into hospitals that provide mental health or developmental services.

What it does

  • Makes it a crime for anyone to have weapons such as firearms, knives with blades over three and a half inches, or stun devices in the buildings of specific hospitals.
  • Requires hospitals to put up clear signs at every entrance telling people about these weapon rules.
  • Says that police can take away any weapons found in violation of this law and give them to the government.

Who it affects

  • People who visit or work at hospitals providing mental health or developmental services.

Limits and unknowns

  • The exact cost of enforcing this law is not known.
  • It does not specify what happens if someone breaks the rules but did not see the signs.

Plain language

Terms to know

Location-restricted knife
A knife with a blade over three and a half inches.
Developmental services
Services for people with developmental disabilities, as defined by law.

Official record

Sources

Validated

Official summary

Weapons; possession prohibited in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person to knowingly and intentionally possess in the building of any hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care, a (i) firearm, (ii) knife with a blade over three and one-half inches, or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons. The bill also provides that notice of such prohibitions shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance of any hospital and that no person shall be convicted of the offense if such notice is not posted, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions. The bill provides that such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and specifies certain exceptions to the prohibition. This bill is identical to HB 229.

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Approved by Governor-Chapter 1109 (effective 7/1/2026)Governor
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1109)Governor
  3. Passed by for the day Block VoteSenate
  4. Communicated to GovernorSenate
  5. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026Governor
  6. Passed by for the day Block Vote (21-Y 18-N 0-A)Senate
  7. Substitute bill reprinted 26110156DSenate
  8. Governor's recommendation received by SenateGovernor
  9. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026Senate
  10. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026Governor
  11. Signed by SpeakerHouse
  12. Signed by PresidentSenate
  13. EnrolledSenate
  14. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB173ER)Senate
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)Senate
  16. Read third timeHouse
  17. Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)House
  18. Read second timeHouse
  19. Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)Public Safety
  20. Placed on CalendarHouse

Changes

Amendments

2 stored

SB173G

(SB173) 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 (26110156D) be accepted.

SB173S2

2026 SESSION SENATE SUBSTITUTE REPRINT 26110156D SENATE BILL NO.