Virginia 2024 Regular Session Status: Enacted

HB 78 — Search warrants, subpoenas, court orders, or other process; menstrual health data prohibited.

Last action — Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0523)

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House of Delegates
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 26, 2023. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Glenn Youngkin (Republican) on April 05, 2024.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 80% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

High

How often bills like it became law.

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 10 sponsors

    1 primary, 9 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 7 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Summary

Search warrants, subpoenas, court orders, or other process; menstrual health data prohibited. Prohibits the issuance of a search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process for the purpose of the search and seizure or production of menstrual health data, as defined in the bill, including data stored on a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information. This bill incorporates HB 1359 and is identical to SB 16.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

36 added · 37 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to Bill HB 78 clarify regulations around search warrants in Virginia, specifically by adding a new section that prohibits the use of search warrants to access menstrual health data. This means law enforcement cannot use legal processes to obtain sensitive health information related to menstruation, thus protecting personal privacy. This change is significant because it addresses privacy concerns and emphasizes the importance of safeguarding personal health data from unauthorized searches.

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SESSION ENROLLED VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY –– CHAPTER E An Act to amend and reenact § 19.2-53 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-60.2, relating to search warrants,R subpoenas, court orders, or other process;
VIRGINIA ACTS OF ASSEMBLY -- 2024 SESSION CHAPTER 523 An Act to amend and reenact § 19.2-53 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-60.2, relating to search warrants, subpoenas, court orders, or other process;
O [H 78] L Approved L Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
[H 78] Approved April 5, 2024 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
E 1.
1.
That § 19.2-53 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of VirginiD is § 19.2-53.
That § 19.2-53 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 5 of Title 19.2 a section numbered 19.2-60.2 as follows:
What may be searched and seized.2 a section numbered 19.2-60.2 as follows:
§ 19.2-53.
What may be searched and seized.
1.
Weapons or other objects used in the commission of crime;
body fluids, constituting evidence of the commission of crime;
4.
or documents, books, papers, recBrds, or 5.
Any object, thing, or person, including without limitation, documents, books, papers, records, or body fluids, constituting evidence of the commission of crime;
or 5.
8 Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, no search warrant may bR issued as a substitute for a witness subpoena.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, no search warrant may be issued as a substitute for a witness subpoena.
Any search warrant issued for the search and seizure of a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information shall be deemed to include the search and seizure of computer network, or other device, except information for which a search warrant is prohibited by § 19.2-60.2.
Any search warrant issued for the search and seizure of a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information shall be deemed to include the search and seizure of the physical components and the electronic or digital information contained in any such computer, computer network, or other device, except information for which a search warrant is prohibited by § 19.2-60.2.
related to menstrual health data prohibited.subpoena, court order, or other process for information No search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process shall be issued, executed, or served for the purpose of the search and seizure or production of menstrual health data, including data stored on a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information.
§ 19.2-60.2.
Issuance of search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process for information related to menstrual health data prohibited.
No search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process shall be issued, executed, or served for the purpose of the search and seizure or production of menstrual health data, including data stored on a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information.
View plain text versions (5)

Action History

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0523)

  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 523 (effective 7/1/24)

  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 8, 2024

  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 11, 2024

  5. Signed by President

  6. Signed by Speaker

  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB78ER)

  8. Enrolled

  9. VOTE: Adoption (51-Y 49-N)

  10. Senate substitute agreed to by House 24108044D-S1 (51-Y 49-N)

  11. Passed Senate with substitute (22-Y 18-N)

  12. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB78S1

  13. Committee substitute agreed to 24108044D-S1

  14. Reading of substitute waived

  15. Read third time

  16. Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N)

  17. Committee substitute printed 24108044D-S1

  18. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

  19. Senate committee, floor amendments and substitutes offered

  20. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  21. Constitutional reading dispensed

  22. VOTE: Passage (51-Y 48-N)

  23. Read third time and passed House (51-Y 48-N)

  24. Engrossed by House - committee substitute HB78H1

  25. Committee substitute agreed to 24107463D-H1

  26. Read second time

  27. Read first time

  28. Incorporates HB1359 (Convirs-Fowler)

  29. Committee substitute printed 24107463D-H1

  30. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (12-Y 10-N)

  31. Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 3-N)

  32. Assigned Courts sub: Subcommittee #4

  33. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  34. Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24100769D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 138 not signed on · 67 voted No

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

VOTE: Adoption (51-Y 49-N)

Passed 50 Yea · 49 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 504900
Total 504900
% of votes cast 51%49%0%0%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Nay
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Passed 22 Yea · 18 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 221800
Total 221800
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (40)

Official roll call →

Passed 38 Yea · 0 Nay · 2 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 38002
Total 38002
% of votes cast 95%0%0%5%
How each member voted (40)

Official roll call →

Passed 9 Yea · 6 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 9600
Total 9600
% of votes cast 60%40%0%0%
How each member voted (15)

Official roll call →

VOTE: Passage (51-Y 48-N)

Passed 50 Yea · 48 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 504801
Total 504801
% of votes cast 51%48%0%1%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Adele Y. McClure — Yea
Alex Q. Askew — Yea
Alfonso H. Lopez — Yea
Amy J. Laufer — Yea
Anne Ferrell Tata — Nay
Arnold, Jonathan, E. P. — Nay
Atoosa R. Reaser — Yea
Batten, Amanda E. — Nay
Betsy B. Carr — Yea
Bill Wiley — Nay
Bonita G. Anthony — Yea
Briana D. Sewell — Yea
Bulova, David L. — Yea
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. — Yea
Charniele L. Herring — Yea
Chris S. Runion — Nay
Convirs-Fowler, Kelly K. — Yea
Cordoza, A.C. — Nay
Coyner, Carrie E. — Nay
Dan I. Helmer — Yea
David A. Reid — Yea
Debra D. Gardner — Yea
Delores L. McQuinn — Yea
Delores Oates — Nay
Earley, Mark L., Jr. — Nay
Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker — Yea
Ellen H. McLaughlin — Nay
Ennis, N. Baxter — Nay
Eric Phillips — Nay
Eric R. Zehr — Nay
Fowler, Hyland F."Buddy," Jr. — Nay
Freitas, Nicholas J. — Nay
Gilbert, C. Todd — Nay
Green, W. Chad — Nay
H. Otto Wachsmann, Jr. — Nay
Higgins, Geary — Nay
Holly M. Seibold — Yea
Irene Shin — Yea
Israel D. O'Quinn — Nay
Jackie H. Glass — Yea
James A. "Jay" Leftwich — Nay
James W. Morefield — Nay
Jason S. Ballard — Nay
Jeion A. Ward — Yea
Joseph P. McNamara — Nay
Joshua E. Thomas — Yea
Joshua G. Cole — Yea
Kannan Srinivasan — Yea
Karen Keys-Gamarra — Yea
Karrie K. Delaney — Yea
Kathy K.L. Tran — Yea
Katrina Callsen — Yea
Kent, Hillary Pugh — Nay
Knight, Barry D. — Nay
Laura Jane Cohen — Yea
LeVere Bolling, Destiny — Yea
Lovejoy, Ian T. — Nay
Luke E. Torian — Yea
M. Keith Hodges — Nay
Maldonado, Michelle Lopes — Yea
Marcia S. "Cia" Price — Yea
Marcus B. Simon — Yea
Marshall, Daniel W., III — Not Voting
Marty Martinez — Yea
Michael B. Feggans — Yea
Michael J. Jones — Yea
Michael J. Webert — Nay
Mike A. Cherry — Nay
Milde, Paul V. — Nay
Mundon King, Candi — Yea
Nadarius E. Clark — Yea
Obenshain, Chris — Nay
Orrock, Robert D., Sr. — Nay
Owen, David — Nay
Patrick A. Hope — Yea
Paul E. Krizek — Yea
Phil M. Hernandez — Yea
Phillip A. Scott — Nay
R. Lee Ware — Nay
Rae Cousins — Yea
Richard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr. — Yea
Robert S. Bloxom, Jr. — Nay
Rodney T. Willett — Yea
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. — Yea
Sam Rasoul — Yea
Scott A. Wyatt — Nay
Shelly A. Simonds — Yea
Sickles, Mark D. — Yea
Taylor, Kim A. — Nay
Terry G. Kilgore — Nay
Terry L. Austin — Nay
Thomas A. Garrett, Jr. — Nay
Thomas C. Wright, Jr. — Nay
Timothy P. Griffin — Nay
Tony O. Wilt — Nay
Vivian E. Watts — Yea
Wendell S. Walker — Nay
Will Davis — Nay
Wren M. Williams — Nay

Official roll call →

Passed 12 Yea · 10 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 121000
Total 121000
% of votes cast 55%45%0%0%
How each member voted (22)

Official roll call →

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 78 do?
Search warrants, subpoenas, court orders, or other process; menstrual health data prohibited. Prohibits the issuance of a search warrant, subpoena, court order, or other process for the purpose of the search and seizure or production of menstrual health data, as defined in the bill, including data stored on a computer, computer network, or other device containing electronic or digital information. This bill incorporates HB 1359 and is identical to SB 16.
Who sponsors HB 78?
HB 78 is sponsored by Vivian E. Watts, Holly M. Seibold, Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker, Betsy B. Carr, Rae Cousins, Dan I. Helmer, Amy J. Laufer, Marcia S. "Cia" Price, Irene Shin, and Kathy K.L. Tran.
What is the current status of HB 78?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced December 26, 2023. Enacted.
Where can I track HB 78?
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