STATE BILLVA HB 561PASSED

Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests, repeat offenders, ignition interlocks.

Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests; repeat offenders; ignition interlocks. Permits a court to issue a restricted license with immediate installation of ignition interlock systems for certain offenders charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal of tests, or repeat offender violations. The bill also directs the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program to convene a work group to evaluate the provisions governing driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and submit recommendations and a draft report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2026. Current law requires various time limits of driver's license suspension for such violations before a restricted license may be issued.

Status: Passed; Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date: May 14, 2026; 182 days ago
Current chamber: House of Delegates
Session: 2026 Regular Session

VA HB 561 · PassedMay 14

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Bill details

Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1112) · May 14, 2026

Sponsor

PHPatrick HopeRepresentative · Democrat · HD-001Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

May 14, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1112)

May 14, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 1112 (effective 7/1/2026)

Apr 23, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

Apr 23, 2026Communicated to GovernorHouse

Apr 23, 2026Passed by for the dayHouse

Apr 22, 2026Passed by for the dayHouse

Apr 13, 2026Governor's recommendation received by House

Mar 31, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

Show 31 earlier actions

Mar 31, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026House

Mar 31, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse

Mar 31, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)House

Mar 30, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate

Mar 30, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB561ER)House

Mar 30, 2026EnrolledHouse

Mar 11, 2026Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)House

Mar 10, 2026Passed Senate with amendments (35-Y 5-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 10, 2026Engrossed by Senate as amendedSenate

Mar 10, 2026Courts of Justice Amendments agreed toSenate

Mar 10, 2026Read third timeSenate

Mar 9, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate

Mar 9, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Mar 9, 2026Rules suspendedSenate

Mar 5, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)House

Mar 5, 2026Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 2-N)Senate

Mar 5, 2026Senate committee offeredSenate

Feb 18, 2026Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeSenate

Feb 18, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)Senate

Feb 17, 2026Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)House

Feb 16, 2026Engrossed by House as amendedHouse

Feb 16, 2026committee amendments agreed toHouse

Feb 16, 2026Read second timeHouse

Feb 13, 2026Read first timeHouse

Feb 11, 2026Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)House

Feb 4, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)House

Feb 4, 2026House subcommittee offeredHouse

Feb 3, 2026Assigned HCJ sub: CriminalHouse

Feb 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)House

Jan 13, 2026Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeHouse

Jan 13, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105186DHouse

Recorded votes

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)Feb 4, 2026 · House · 10 yea · 0 nayPassed

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)Feb 11, 2026 · House · 22 yea · 0 nayPassed

Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 17, 2026 · House · 97 yea · 0 nayPassed

Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 2-N)Mar 5, 2026 · Senate · 12 yea · 2 nayPassed

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Mar 9, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed

Passed Senate with amendments (35-Y 5-N 0-A)Mar 10, 2026 · Senate · 35 yea · 5 nayPassed

Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)Mar 11, 2026 · House · 90 yea · 7 nayPassed

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