New Virginia laws taking effect January 1, 2026
9 laws take effect January 1, 2026.
Of the 1,840 bills enacted since 2025, 1,751 have an effective date and 89 don't yet (listed below). A law here takes effect that day by its main provisions; parts of a staggered act may take effect on other dates.
Updated Nov 2, 2026 at 1:07 p.m. EST.
Healthcare (2)
HB 1844 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Baby Food Protection Act; testing and labeling requirements for toxic heavy metals.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.HB 2742 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Hospitals; urine drug screening to include testing for fentanyl.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Housing (2)
HB 2203 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Housing and Community Development, Dept. of; consolidation of varying due dates for certain reports.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.SB 787 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Housing and Community Development, Dept. of; consolidation of varying due dates for certain reports.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Climate (1)
HB 1822 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Electric utilities; construction of certain electrical transmission lines, advanced conductors.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Crime (1)
HB 1665 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Fines, restitution, forfeiture, penalties, other costs; criminal and traffic cases; itemized statement.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Finance (1)
SB 1339 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act; telephone solicitations by text message.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/2026
.
Government (1)
HB 1733 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Children; petitions for relief of care & custody, investigation by local dept. of social services.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Technology (1)
SB 854 · 2025 Regular SessionPublished
Consumer Data Protection Act; social media platforms, addictive feed prohibited for minors.
How we got this date
Published by the legislature:
Effective 01/01/26
.
Enacted, but not yet dated (89)
These laws' texts tie their dates to something outside the legislative record (Contingent), or not enough is recorded yet to give one (Unresolved). They may take effect January 1, 2026 too; the record doesn't say.
Show all 89
- HB 1046UnresolvedVirginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements.no enacted text on file
- HB 1219UnresolvedUnmanned aircraft systems; use by law-enforcement officers, search warrants.no enacted text on file
- HB 1220UnresolvedPhoto speed monitoring devices; placement and operation.no enacted text on file
- HB 1247UnresolvedEsthetics Licensure Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.no enacted text on file
- HB 1283UnresolvedHigh school graduation requirements and diploma pathways; implementation.no enacted text on file
- HB 1395UnresolvedLoitering; curfew for minors, age restrictions on trick-or-treating, effective clause.no enacted text on file
- HB 1439UnresolvedContractors; regulation, solar installation companies, sale, lease, etc., of solar energy systems.no enacted text on file
- HB 1443UnresolvedOwners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distributing of sewage sludge.no enacted text on file
- HB 1450UnresolvedHealth insurance; claims experience information, delayed effective date.no enacted text on file
- HB 1490UnresolvedChild abuse or neglect; establishes centralized hotline for reports or complaints, report.no enacted text on file
- HB 163UnresolvedNotarization, filing, & recordation of certain land records; duties of notary or settlement agent.no enacted text on file
- HB 172UnresolvedCriminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain range of punishment, etc.no enacted text on file
- HB 181UnresolvedAffordable dwelling unit program; adds Roanoke City to list of localities with authority to provide.no enacted text on file
- HB 1957UnresolvedSOL assessments & related student assessment methods; assessment development, etc., reform.no enacted text on file
- HB 2103UnresolvedRegulations Governing Allowable Credit for Teaching Experience; etc.no enacted text on file
- HB 2124UnresolvedSynthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause.no enacted text on file
- HB 2252UnresolvedDecreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction, effective date.no enacted text on file
- HB 2255UnresolvedHospitals and nursing homes; licensure and inspection fees.no enacted text on file
- HB 2415UnresolvedPublic housing authorities; indigent parties, unlawful detainer.no enacted text on file
- HB 2448UnresolvedInterstate Massage Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.no enacted text on file
- HB 2503UnresolvedVirginia coordinate systems; updates several references in Code.no enacted text on file
- HB 2541UnresolvedInformation Technology Access Act; digital accessibility, definitions, procurement requirements.no enacted text on file
- HB 27UnresolvedOvertime for certain employees; pay for domestic workers, delayed effective date.no enacted text on file
- HB 2723UnresolvedCriminal records; expungement and sealing of records, repeals Sealing Fee Fund.no enacted text on file
- HB 2724UnresolvedAutomatic license plate recognition systems; use, reports, penalty.no enacted text on file
- HB 298UnresolvedPublic elementary or secondary school students; evidence-based restorative disciplinary practices.no enacted text on file
- HB 299UnresolvedSOL assessments and related assessment methods; development, administration, scoring, and release.no enacted text on file
- HB 308UnresolvedVa. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.no enacted text on file
- HB 318UnresolvedVirginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations.no enacted text on file
- HB 328UnresolvedHealth insurance; essential health benefits benchmark plan selection.no enacted text on file
- HB 395UnresolvedElectric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.no enacted text on file
- HB 40UnresolvedPlastic firearms or receivers, etc., transfer, etc., prohibited; penalties.no enacted text on file
- HB 422UnresolvedWater utilities; prohibition of multiple rate increases within 3-year period for water utilities.no enacted text on file
- HB 443UnresolvedJudicial district and circuit courts; maximum number of judges.no enacted text on file
- HB 547UnresolvedPrivate companies providing public transportation services; employee protections.no enacted text on file
- HB 574UnresolvedAthletic Trainer Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.no enacted text on file
- HB 575UnresolvedRespiratory Care Interstate Compact; authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to Compact.no enacted text on file
- HB 65UnresolvedApple Board; repealing Board and Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028, delayed effective date, report.no enacted text on file
- HB 656UnresolvedMental health & substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards, comparative analyses, report.no enacted text on file
- HB 670UnresolvedLabor & employment provisions; application of law, protection of employees, definition of employer.no enacted text on file
- HB 672UnresolvedAppliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; requirement of manufacturers.no enacted text on file
- HB 746UnresolvedPhysician assistants; authorization to practice without a practice agreement.no enacted text on file
- HB 809UnresolvedElectric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.no enacted text on file
- HB 833UnresolvedLand subdivision and development; optional provisions of a subdivision ordinance, etc.no enacted text on file
- HB 862UnresolvedVirginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), Commission on; structure and responsibilities.no enacted text on file
- HB 895UnresolvedElectric utilities; energy storage requirements, Department of Energy to develop model ordinance.no enacted text on file
- HB 916UnresolvedConcealed handgun permit; demonstrated competence, effective clause.no enacted text on file
- HB 931UnresolvedRecovery residences; regulations.no enacted text on file
- HB 964UnresolvedVoter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration.no enacted text on file
- HB 965UnresolvedNational Popular Vote Compact; enters Virginia into an interstate compact.no enacted text on file
- HB 972UnresolvedVoter registration; list maintenance activities, cancellation procedures, required record matches.no enacted text on file
- SB 1053UnresolvedSynthetic digital content; definition, penalty, report, effective clause.no enacted text on file
- SB 1069UnresolvedRetired justices and judges; per diem payments for attendance at mandatory judicial conferences.no enacted text on file
- SB 1158UnresolvedEminent domain; condemnation proceedings.no enacted text on file
- SB 1173UnresolvedVirginia coordinate systems; updates several references in Code.no enacted text on file
- SB 1221UnresolvedPublic housing authorities; indigent parties, unlawful detainer.no enacted text on file
- SB 1466UnresolvedCriminal records; expungement and sealing of records, repeals Sealing Fee Fund.no enacted text on file
- SB 1484UnresolvedHospitals and nursing homes; licensure and inspection fees.no enacted text on file
- SB 162UnresolvedVoter registration; restoration of political rights upon release from incarceration.no enacted text on file
- SB 165UnresolvedContracts; retainage bonds permitted in construction contracts, effective clause.no enacted text on file
- SB 200UnresolvedSOL assessments and related assessment methods; development, administration, scoring, and release.no enacted text on file
- SB 219UnresolvedPhoto speed monitoring devices; placement and operations.no enacted text on file
- SB 250UnresolvedElectric utilities; small portable solar generation devices, local regulation.no enacted text on file
- SB 255UnresolvedElectric utilities; shared solar programs, Phase I Utility.no enacted text on file
- SB 256UnresolvedAppliance minimum energy and water conservation standards; requirement of manufacturers.no enacted text on file
- SB 27UnresolvedFirearm industry members; creates standards of responsible conduct, civil liability.no enacted text on file
- SB 270UnresolvedRecovery residences; regulations.no enacted text on file
- SB 28UnresolvedOvertime for certain employees; pay for domestic workers, delayed effective date.no enacted text on file
- SB 316UnresolvedNotarization, filing, & recordation of certain land records; duties of notary or settlement agent;.no enacted text on file
- SB 322UnresolvedNational Popular Vote Compact; enters Virginia into an interstate compact.no enacted text on file
- SB 323UnresolvedPlastic firearms or receivers, etc., transfer, etc., prohibited; penalties.no enacted text on file
- SB 324UnresolvedVirginia Public Procurement Act; additional public works contract requirements.no enacted text on file
- SB 386UnresolvedOwners of sewage treatment works; land application, marketing, or distributing of sewage sludge.no enacted text on file
- SB 390UnresolvedApple Board; repealing Board and Apple Fund effective July 1, 2028, delayed effective date, report.no enacted text on file
- SB 391UnresolvedVirginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP), Commission on; structure and responsibilities.no enacted text on file
- SB 448UnresolvedElectric utilities; energy storage requirements, Department of Energy to develop model ordinance.no enacted text on file
- SB 524UnresolvedMental health & substance abuse disorders; network adequacy standards, comparative analyses, report.no enacted text on file
- SB 543UnresolvedMarijuana and hemp products; enforcement.no enacted text on file
- SB 60UnresolvedVirginia Parole Board; powers and duties, juvenile offenders, parole procedures and considerations.no enacted text on file
- SB 620UnresolvedVa. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.no enacted text on file
- SB 640UnresolvedChild abuse or neglect; centralized hotline for reports or complaints, etc.no enacted text on file
- SB 647UnresolvedUnmanned aircraft systems; use by law-enforcement officers, search warrants.no enacted text on file
- SB 724UnresolvedHigh school graduation requirements and diploma pathways; implementation.no enacted text on file
- SB 731UnresolvedPrivate companies providing public transportation services; employee protections.no enacted text on file
- SB 821UnresolvedNursing facilities; use of electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms.no enacted text on file
- SB 823UnresolvedContractors; regulation, solar installation companies, sale, lease, etc., of solar energy systems.no enacted text on file
- SB 84UnresolvedPhoto speed monitoring devices, etc.; placement and operation, civil penalty, report.no enacted text on file
- SB 936UnresolvedDecreasing probation period; criteria for mandatory reduction, effective clause, report.no enacted text on file
- SB 999UnresolvedAppeals; security for appeal and fees, procedure on appeal.no enacted text on file