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SB735 • 2026

Temporary detention; certified evaluators, sunset extended.

An Act to amend and reenact the eighth enactment of Chapter 780 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024, relating to temporary detention; certified evaluators; sunset extended.

Healthcare Labor
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Diggs
Last action
2026-04-06
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on the continuation of reporting requirements or the exact nature of the extension beyond changing the sunset date.

Extending Temporary Detention Evaluation Authority

This law extends until July 1, 2027, the period during which certain hospitals in Hampton can use trained staff to evaluate people for temporary behavioral health treatment.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the end date of a special rule that lets hospitals with psychiatric emergency departments in Hampton hire trained workers to check if someone needs emergency mental health care.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Hospitals with psychiatric emergency departments in Hampton
  • People who might need a mental health evaluation at these hospitals

Terms To Know

Temporary detention
A short-term hold for people needing urgent behavioral or mental health care.
Sunset clause
A provision that sets a specific date when a law will end unless it is renewed.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens after July 1, 2027.
  • It only affects hospitals in Hampton with psychiatric emergency departments.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 284 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 284 (effective 7/1/2026)

  3. 2026-04-06 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0284)

  4. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

  5. 2026-03-10 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  6. 2026-03-04 House

    Signed by Speaker

  7. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Signed by President

  8. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Enrolled

  9. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB735ER)

  10. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB735)

  11. 2026-02-27 House

    Read third time

  12. 2026-02-27 House

    Passed House Block Vote (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

  13. 2026-02-26 House

    Read second time

  14. 2026-02-24 Health and Human Services

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

  15. 2026-02-20 House

    Placed on Calendar

  16. 2026-02-20 Health and Human Services

    Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

  17. 2026-02-20 House

    Read first time

  18. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Read second time

  19. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  20. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Rules suspended

  21. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Rules suspended

  22. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Blank Action

  23. 2026-02-16 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB735)

  24. 2026-02-16 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to

  25. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  26. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  27. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  28. 2026-02-13 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute (13-Y 0-N)

  29. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Senate committee offered

  30. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Rules suspended

  31. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  32. 2026-02-13 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Committee substitute printed 26106495D-S1

  33. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (34-Y 0-N 0-A)

  34. 2026-01-30 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB735)

  35. 2026-01-29 Education and Health

    Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (13-Y 0-N)

  36. 2026-01-16 Senate

    Presented and ordered printed 26104967D

  37. 2026-01-16 Education and Health

    Referred to Committee on Education and Health

Official Summary Text

Temporary detention; certified evaluators; sunset extended.
Extends from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2027, the sunset date on the current provisions of law authorizing hospitals with a psychiatric emergency department located in the City of Hampton to employ certain trained individuals to perform evaluations to determine whether a person meets the criteria for temporary detention for behavioral health treatment. The current law also requires participating hospitals with psychiatric emergency departments in the City of Hampton to submit monthly and annual reports on temporary detentions and crisis evaluations. This bill is identical to HB 1292.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
An Act to amend and reenact the eighth enactment of Chapter 780 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024, relating to temporary detention; certified evaluators; sunset extended.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the eighth enactment of Chapter 780 of the Acts of Assembly of 2024 is amended and reenacted as follows:
8. That the provisions of this act shall expire on July 1,
2026
2027
.