Virginia SB 837 — Individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities; admissibility of statements in cases.
Virginia, 2027. SB 837: Individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities; admissibility of statements in cases.
Latest action
September 17, 2026 — Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
Summary
Admissibility of statements by individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in certain cases. Prohibits admission of any evidence from an individual with developmental disabilities or intellectual disabilities, as defined in relevant law, in certain criminal prosecutions unless the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that such individual's decision to speak to law enforcement did not have a direct and substantial relationship to such individual's disability. The bill requires notice be given to the attorney for the Commonwealth if a defendant intends to introduce expert testimony regarding his disability. The bill prohibits any statements made by a defendant during an examination by an expert witness from being used against him except for impeachment or perjury.
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-271.6:1, relating to admissibility of statements by individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities in certain cases.
Sponsors
- Barbara A. Favola — primary sponsor
Bill text
Introduced Read version ↗ Read version ↗
Recorded votes
No roll-call votes were supplied for this bill. This does not imply that no vote occurred.
Legislative history
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-13-2027 27100491D
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