Virginia 2027 Regular Session Status: In Committee

SB 475 — Court Date Reminder Program; established.

Last action — Continued from last session

Track this bill free

No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.

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

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 18% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    1 primary, 2 co-sponsors signed on.

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.

In plain language

Establishes a program to remind criminal defendants of upcoming court dates.

The bill creates a Court Date Reminder Program to notify criminal defendants of their scheduled court appearances via text messages. Defendants can opt out and may receive notifications through other means if they cannot receive texts.

What this means for you
  • Workers: Workers facing criminal charges may receive reminders to appear for court, helping reduce missed appointments.

Summary

Court Date Reminder Program established. Establishes a Court Date Reminder Program, to be developed or procured by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, for the purpose of reminding criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances and to provide any related information. The bill directs the Program to send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case or traffic infraction in general district court or circuit court, allows a defendant to opt out of participating in the Program, and allows the Program administrator or his designee to use other communication methods to contact a defendant when such defendant is unable to receive text messages, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

121 added · 145 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent amendment to Bill SB 475 establishes a Court Date Reminder Program aimed at reducing the number of criminal defendants who miss their court appearances. It now ensures defendants in general district and circuit courts will receive text reminders about their scheduled court dates, which is intended to improve court efficiency and minimize unnecessary arrests due to missed appearances. The revised version of the bill simplifies the requirements, ensuring that only relevant sections are included. This change matters because it streamlines the process and focuses on a solution that helps both the court system and defendants.

→
Previous
Latest
+ 2027 SESSION + INTRODUCED + + + 26103729D I SENATE BILL NO.
OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 + + + + + + + + SENATE BILL NO.
475 Offered January 14, 2026 N A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-262 and 46.2-388 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 17.1 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered T 17.1-296 through 17.1-299, relating to Court Date Reminder Program established.
475 + + AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE + (Proposed by the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice + + + on ________________) + + (Patron Prior to Substitute—Senator Marsden) + A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-388 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 17.1 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 17.1-296, 17.1-297, and 17.1-298, relating to Court Date Reminder Program established;
R ————— O Patrons—Marsden, Bagby and Aird D ————— Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice U ————— Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
work group;
C 1.
report.
That §§ 16.1-262 and 46.2-388 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted and that the Code E of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 17.1 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 17.1-296 through 17.1-299, as follows:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
D § 16.1-262.
1.
Form and content of petition.
That § 46.2-388 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Chapter 2 of Title 17.1 an article numbered 9, consisting of sections numbered 17.1-296, 17.1-297, and 17.1-298, as follows:
A.
The petition shall contain the facts below indicated:
"Commonwealth of Virginia, In re ______ (name of child)" a child under eighteen years of age.
"In the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court of the county (or city) of ______ " 1.
Statement of name, age, date of birth, phone number, if known, and residence of the child.
2.
Statement of names and, residence, and phone numbers of his parents, guardian, legal custodian or other person standing in loco parentis and spouse, if any.
3.
Statement of names and, residence, and phone numbers of the nearest known relatives if no parent or guardian can be found.
4.
Statement of the specific facts which allegedly bring the child within the purview of this law.
If theB 24 petition alleges a delinquent act, it shall make reference to the applicable sections of the Code which 5 designate the act a crime.
5.
Statement as to whether the child is in custody, and if so, the place of detention or shelter care, and the time the child was taken into custody, and the time the child was placed in detention or shelter care.
B.
If the subject of the petition is an adult, the petition shall not state or include the name of or any information concerning the parents, guardians, legal custodian, or person standing in loco parentis of the adult subject of the petition except as may be necessary to state the conduct alleged in the petition.
C.
If any of the facts herein required to be stated are not known by the petitioner, the petition shall so state.
The petition shall be verified, except that petitions filed under § 63.2-1237 may be signed by the petitioner's counsel, and may be upon information.
Any phone number collected or listed on a petition shall only be used for the Court Date Reminder Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296 if applicable to the :
35 subject of the petition.
If no phone number is listed at the time such petition is filed, the court shall obtain 36 such information at the first appearance of the subject of the petition.
37 In accordance with § 16.1-69.32, the Supreme Court may formulate rules for the form and content of 38 petitions in the juvenile court concerning matters related to the custody, visitation or support of a child and 39 the protection, support or maintenance of an adult where the provisions of this section are not appropriate.
The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall develop or procure a Court Date Reminder Program (the Program) to remind criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances and to provide any related information.
The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall develop or procure a Court Date Reminder Program (the Program) to remind criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances.
The purpose of such reminders is to reduce the number of criminal defendants who are taken into custody solely as a result of their failure to appear in court.
The purpose of such reminders is to reduce the number of criminal defendants who are taken into custody solely as a result of their failure to appear in court and to increase court efficiency.
The Program shall send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case or traffic infraction in general district court or circuit court.
The Program shall send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case in general district court or circuit court for whom the court has a telephone number prior to any scheduled hearing that requires his appearance.
A defendant may opt out of participating in the Program at any time.
When a defendant is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods to contact such defendant, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology.
In the case of a juvenile defendant, such notification shall be sent to the juvenile, if he is able to receive text messages, and his parent or legal guardian.
If the juvenile is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology, to contact the juvenile and his parent or legal guardian.
The Program shall provide at least two reminder notifications for all scheduled court appearances or required payment dates.
The Program shall permit a defendant the opportunity to opt out of participating in the Program at any time.
The first reminder shall be sent one week prior to a scheduled court appearance or required payment date.
The second reminder shall be sent one day prior to a scheduled court appearance or SB475 2 of 3 required payment date.
Show all 129 changed rows (89 more)
Previous
Latest
Additional reminders may be sent at the discretion of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to ensure adequate notice is provided.
1.
Each text message notification shall include notice that the defendant may opt-out of the Program and the date, time, and location of the scheduled court hearing.
A reminder shall include the following for a criminal matter:
a.
A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;
b.
The date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance;
c.
Notice of any court closures affecting such court appearance;
d.
The consequences of failing to appear at such court appearance;
e.
Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such court appearance;
and f.
Instructions for how to resolve the matter online, if applicable.
2.
A reminder shall include the following for a traffic infraction:
a.
A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;
b.
Instructions on how to resolve the matter online or pay the ticket, if applicable;
c.
The required payment date for the ticket or the date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance, if applicable;
d.
The consequences of failing to pay the ticket by the required payment date or failing to appear at the scheduled court appearance;
and e.
Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such traffic infraction.
Any defendant subject to this section who fails to appear at a scheduled court appearance or fails to pay a ticket by the required payment date shall receive a notification within two days of the following actions by the court:
The Program shall not send any text message notification after a defendant has resolved his case with a guilty plea and final payment of fines in advance of a scheduled hearing, as set forth in § 16.1-69.40:2.
(i) issuance of a capias, (ii) entrance of a finding of guilt, or (iii) suspension of the driver's license of the defendant.
E.
All notifications shall be written in plain language and generally conform to best practices identified by research on court reminder programs.
Law-enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and court staff shall, to the extent practicable, obtain the telephone numbers of defendants at the time of issuing summonses, preparing charging documents, completing intake forms, and executing booking and release forms, as well as on any other document deemed relevant for the purposes of this article.
Law-enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and court staff shall, to the extent practicable, obtain the telephone numbers of defendants at the time of issuing summonses, preparing charging documents, DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 completing intake forms, and executing booking and release forms, as well as on any other document deemed relevant for the purposes of this article.
Refusal to provide a telephone number to a law-enforcement officer, corrections personnel, or court staff shall not be held against the defendant for any purpose.
Refusal to provide a telephone number to a law-enforcement officer, corrections personnel, or court staff shall not be (i) held against the defendant for any purpose, (ii) considered evidence of guilt, or (iii) used adversely against the defendant in any criminal proceeding.
Telephone numbers collected pursuant to subsection A shall be transmitted to the Program for use exclusively in accordance with its statutory mandate.
Telephone numbers collected pursuant to subsection A shall be used exclusively in accordance with its statutory mandate.
All telephone numbers shall be redacted from (i) court files made available on the internet pursuant to § 17.1-293 and (ii) the publicly accessible online case information system pursuant to § 17.1-293.1.
The Program shall include a publicly accessible website, or such other mechanism as the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court deems appropriate, by which individuals may update their telephone numbers and other contact information and enroll in the Program.
Any telephone number provided pursuant to this section shall not be (i) used by law enforcement, corrections personnel, or any other government agency for investigative, intelligence, or enforcement purposes or (ii) shared with any third party, except as strictly necessary to facilitate court appearance reminders or as required by law.
§ 17.1-299.
E.
Data collection and reporting.
Failure of the Program to send a text message notification to a defendant reminding him of a scheduled court hearing or failure of the defendant to receive any such notification shall not remove the legal obligation for him to appear for his scheduled court hearing.
A.
It shall not be a defense to prosecution for failure to appear in violation of subdivision A 6 of § 18.2-456 or § 19.2-128 that the Program did not send such notification to the defendant or that the defendant did not receive such notification while participating in the Program.
The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall collect, maintain, and report data relevant to the administration and effectiveness of the Program.
Such data shall include:
1.
The number of defendants enrolled in the Program;
2.
The number of defendants who opt out of the Program;
3.
The number of defendants for whom the Program does not have a telephone number;
and 4.
The number of enrolled defendants who fail to appear for a scheduled court appearance or fail to pay a ticket.
B.
The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall make such data publicly available or provide such data to the General Assembly on an annual basis.
The commencement and termination date for the use of the form and each revised version of the form shall be made by the Attorney General after consultation with the Committee on District Courts, the Superintendent of State Police and the Commissioner.
The commencement and termination date for the use of the form and each revised version of the form shall be made by the Attorney General after consultation with the Committee on District Courts, the Superintendent of State Police, and the Commissioner.
The form of the summons shall include multiple copies with the original to be used for court records and other copies in sufficient number to permit the use of one copy by the courts for purposes of filing abstracts of records with the Department as required by § 46.2-383 and shall be a form prepared by the Department within the meaning of § 46.2-386.
The form of the summons shall include multiple copies with the original to be used for court records and other copies in sufficient number to permit the use of one copy by the courts for purposes of filing abstracts DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 of records with the Department as required by § 46.2-383 and shall be a form prepared by the Department within the meaning of § 46.2-386.
of 3 B.
B.
I 1.
1.
N 2.
2.
T intent to contest the charge to the Department;ees, penalties, and damages in full or deliver a notice of his 4.
3.
The requirement that he either pay the fees, penalties, and damages in full or deliver a notice of his intent to contest the charge to the Department;
4.
and O 5.
and 5.
D C.
C.
A separate citation that has been approved in the manner prescribed in subsection A shall be usedUfor for the violation and shall advise him of:hall be directed to the owner, operator, or other person respoCsible 1.
A separate citation that has been approved in the manner prescribed in subsection A shall be used for violations of § 46.2-613.1.
The citation shall be directed to the owner, operator, or other person responsible for the violation and shall advise him of:
1.
E 3.
3.
The procedures and time limits for making the payments or contesting such charge which shall include the 5.
The procedures and time limits for making the payments or contesting such charge which shall include the trial date, which shall in no event be earlier than 60 days after the violation;
and 5.
violation;
2.
and S 5
That the provisions the first enactment of this act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.
3.
That the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia shall convene a Court Date Reminder Program (the Program) work group consisting of all relevant stakeholders, including a representative from the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia;
a general district court judge appointed by the Committee on District Courts;
a circuit court judge appointed by DRAFT OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 the Judicial Council of Virginia;
a court clerk appointed by the Virginia Court Clerks Association;
a law-enforcement representative appointed by the Superintendent of State Police;
a law-enforcement representative appointed by the Virginia Sheriffs' Association;
an attorney for the Commonwealth appointed by the Commonwealth's Attorneys' Services Council;
a public defender appointed by the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission;
a community representative appointed by the Legal Aid Justice Center;
and a member of the Virginia Pretrial Justice Coalition.
The work group shall advise on the implementation and expansion of the Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296 of the Code of Virginia, as created by this act, so that the Program adheres to best practices and maximizes its benefits for the Commonwealth.
The work group shall make recommendations on (i) text message notification content and design, including whether and how to include information pertaining to (a) the consequences of failing to appear;
(b) instructions on how to resolve the matter online, if applicable;
and (c) help or resources for navigating a case;
(ii) expanding the Program, including the feasibility, benefits, costs, and legal considerations associated with extending the Program to traffic infractions, juvenile cases, reminders for payment of court fines and fees, costs, or other financial obligations, and notifications of court actions such as (a) issuance of a show cause or capias, (b) entrance of a finding of guilt, and (c) suspension of a driver's license;
(iii) ensuring privacy, data security, and legal compliance;
and (iv) how to evaluate the Program and report any relevant data.
As needed, the work group shall seek out or reference subject matter experts with demonstrated expertise in court operations, behavioral science, access to justice, technology, or related fields to inform its recommendations.
The work group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by December 1, 2026.
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (2)

How this bill changes current law

36 changes Share ↗

Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 6 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 16.1-262, 17.1-296, 17.1-297, 17.1-298, 17.1-299, 46.2-388.

  • 16.1-262

    phone number,

    Inserts “phone number,”.

  • 16.1-262

    and → ,

    Replaces “and” with “,”.

  • 16.1-262

    , and phone numbers

    Inserts “, and phone numbers”.

  • 16.1-262

    and → ,

    Replaces “and” with “,”.

  • 16.1-262

    , and phone numbers

    Inserts “, and phone numbers”.

  • 16.1-262

    Any phone number collected or listed on a petition shall only be used for the Court Date Reminder Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296 if applicable to the subject of the petition. If no phone number is listed at the time such petition is filed, the court shall obtain such information at the first appearance of the subject of the petition.

    Inserts “Any phone number collected or listed on a petition shall only be used for the Court Date Reminder Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296 if applicable to the subject of the petition. If no phone number is listed at the time such petition is filed, the court shall obtain such information at the first appearance of the subject of the petition.”.

  • 17.1-296

    The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall develop or procure a Court Date Reminder Program (the Program) to remind criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances and to provide any related information. The purpose of such reminders is to reduce the number of criminal defendants who are taken into custody solely as a result of their failure to appear in court.

    Inserts “The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall develop or procure a Court Date Reminder Program (the Program) to remind criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances and to provide any related information. The purpose of such reminders is to reduce the number of criminal defendants who are taken into custody solely as a result of their failure to appear in court.”.

  • 17.1-297

    A. The Program shall send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case or traffic infraction in general district court or circuit court. A defendant may opt out of participating in the Program at any time. When a defendant is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods to contact such defendant, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology. In the case of a juvenile defendant, such notification shall be sent to the juvenile, if he is able to receive text messages, and his parent or legal guardian. If the juvenile is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology, to contact the juvenile and his parent or legal guardian.

    Inserts “A. The Program shall send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case or traffic infraction in general district court or circuit court. A defendant may opt out of participating in the Program at any time. When a defendant is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods to contact such defendant, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology. In the case of a juvenile defendant, such notification shall be sent to the juvenile, if he is able to receive text messages, and his parent or legal guardian. If the juvenile is unable to receive text messages, the Program administrator or his designee may use other communication methods, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology, to contact the juvenile and his parent or legal guardian.”.

  • 17.1-297

    B. The Program shall provide at least two reminder notifications for all scheduled court appearances or required payment dates. The first reminder shall be sent one week prior to a scheduled court appearance or required payment date. The second reminder shall be sent one day prior to a scheduled court appearance or required payment date. Additional reminders may be sent at the discretion of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to ensure adequate notice is provided.

    Inserts “B. The Program shall provide at least two reminder notifications for all scheduled court appearances or required payment dates. The first reminder shall be sent one week prior to a scheduled court appearance or required payment date. The second reminder shall be sent one day prior to a scheduled court appearance or required payment date. Additional reminders may be sent at the discretion of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court to ensure adequate notice is provided.”.

  • 17.1-297

    C. 1. A reminder shall include the following for a criminal matter:

    Inserts “C. 1. A reminder shall include the following for a criminal matter:”.

  • 17.1-297

    a. A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;

    Inserts “a. A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;”.

  • 17.1-297

    b. The date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance;

    Inserts “b. The date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance;”.

  • 17.1-297

    c. Notice of any court closures affecting such court appearance;

    Inserts “c. Notice of any court closures affecting such court appearance;”.

  • 17.1-297

    d. The consequences of failing to appear at such court appearance;

    Inserts “d. The consequences of failing to appear at such court appearance;”.

  • 17.1-297

    e. Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such court appearance; and

    Inserts “e. Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such court appearance; and”.

  • 17.1-297

    f. Instructions for how to resolve the matter online, if applicable.

    Inserts “f. Instructions for how to resolve the matter online, if applicable.”.

  • 17.1-297

    2. A reminder shall include the following for a traffic infraction:

    Inserts “2. A reminder shall include the following for a traffic infraction:”.

  • 17.1-297

    a. A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;

    Inserts “a. A statement notifying the defendant that he may opt out of participating in the Program;”.

  • 17.1-297

    b. Instructions on how to resolve the matter online or pay the ticket, if applicable;

    Inserts “b. Instructions on how to resolve the matter online or pay the ticket, if applicable;”.

  • 17.1-297

    c. The required payment date for the ticket or the date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance, if applicable;

    Inserts “c. The required payment date for the ticket or the date, time, and location of the scheduled court appearance, if applicable;”.

  • 17.1-297

    d. The consequences of failing to pay the ticket by the required payment date or failing to appear at the scheduled court appearance; and

    Inserts “d. The consequences of failing to pay the ticket by the required payment date or failing to appear at the scheduled court appearance; and”.

  • 17.1-297

    e. Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such traffic infraction.

    Inserts “e. Contact information or directions for inquiries relating to such traffic infraction.”.

  • 17.1-297

    D. Any defendant subject to this section who fails to appear at a scheduled court appearance or fails to pay a ticket by the required payment date shall receive a notification within two days of the following actions by the court: (i) issuance of a capias, (ii) entrance of a finding of guilt, or (iii) suspension of the driver's license of the defendant.

    Inserts “D. Any defendant subject to this section who fails to appear at a scheduled court appearance or fails to pay a ticket by the required payment date shall receive a notification within two days of the following actions by the court: (i) issuance of a capias, (ii) entrance of a finding of guilt, or (iii) suspension of the driver's license of the defendant.”.

  • 17.1-297

    E. All notifications shall be written in plain language and generally conform to best practices identified by research on court reminder programs.

    Inserts “E. All notifications shall be written in plain language and generally conform to best practices identified by research on court reminder programs.”.

  • 17.1-298

    A. Law-enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and court staff shall, to the extent practicable, obtain the telephone numbers of defendants at the time of issuing summonses, preparing charging documents, completing intake forms, and executing booking and release forms, as well as on any other document deemed relevant for the purposes of this article.

    Inserts “A. Law-enforcement officers, corrections personnel, and court staff shall, to the extent practicable, obtain the telephone numbers of defendants at the time of issuing summonses, preparing charging documents, completing intake forms, and executing booking and release forms, as well as on any other document deemed relevant for the purposes of this article.”.

  • 17.1-298

    B. Refusal to provide a telephone number to a law-enforcement officer, corrections personnel, or court staff shall not be held against the defendant for any purpose.

    Inserts “B. Refusal to provide a telephone number to a law-enforcement officer, corrections personnel, or court staff shall not be held against the defendant for any purpose.”.

  • 17.1-298

    C. Telephone numbers collected pursuant to subsection A shall be transmitted to the Program for use exclusively in accordance with its statutory mandate.

    Inserts “C. Telephone numbers collected pursuant to subsection A shall be transmitted to the Program for use exclusively in accordance with its statutory mandate.”.

  • 17.1-298

    D. The Program shall include a publicly accessible website, or such other mechanism as the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court deems appropriate, by which individuals may update their telephone numbers and other contact information and enroll in the Program.

    Inserts “D. The Program shall include a publicly accessible website, or such other mechanism as the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court deems appropriate, by which individuals may update their telephone numbers and other contact information and enroll in the Program.”.

  • 17.1-299

    A. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall collect, maintain, and report data relevant to the administration and effectiveness of the Program. Such data shall include:

    Inserts “A. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall collect, maintain, and report data relevant to the administration and effectiveness of the Program. Such data shall include:”.

  • 17.1-299

    1. The number of defendants enrolled in the Program;

    Inserts “1. The number of defendants enrolled in the Program;”.

  • 17.1-299

    2. The number of defendants who opt out of the Program;

    Inserts “2. The number of defendants who opt out of the Program;”.

  • 17.1-299

    3. The number of defendants for whom the Program does not have a telephone number; and

    Inserts “3. The number of defendants for whom the Program does not have a telephone number; and”.

  • 17.1-299

    4. The number of enrolled defendants who fail to appear for a scheduled court appearance or fail to pay a ticket.

    Inserts “4. The number of enrolled defendants who fail to appear for a scheduled court appearance or fail to pay a ticket.”.

  • 17.1-299

    B. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall make such data publicly available or provide such data to the General Assembly on an annual basis.

    Inserts “B. The Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court shall make such data publicly available or provide such data to the General Assembly on an annual basis.”.

  • 46.2-388

    (i)

    Inserts “(i)”.

  • 46.2-388

    and (ii) a field for the telephone number of the person receiving the summons to be used for the Court Date Reminder Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296

    Inserts “and (ii) a field for the telephone number of the person receiving the summons to be used for the Court Date Reminder Program established pursuant to § 17.1-296”.

Action History

  1. Continued from last session

  2. Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

  3. Committee substitute printed 26106998D-S1

  4. Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

  5. Senate committee offered

  6. Incorporates SB442 (Bagby)

  7. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB475)

  8. Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  9. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103729D

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 145 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (145)

145 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 145 →

"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

Subjects

public-safety technology
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 475 do?
Court Date Reminder Program established. Establishes a Court Date Reminder Program, to be developed or procured by the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia, for the purpose of reminding criminal defendants to appear at each of their scheduled court appearances and to provide any related information. The bill directs the Program to send a text message notification to any defendant with a criminal case or traffic infraction in general district court or circuit court, allows a defendant to opt out of participating in the Program, and allows the Program administrator or his designee to use other communication methods to contact a defendant when such defendant is unable to receive text messages, including telephone, email, or other internet-based technology.
Who sponsors SB 475?
SB 475 is sponsored by Lashrecse D. Aird, Lamont Bagby, and David W. Marsden.
What is the current status of SB 475?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced January 13, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 475?
Track SB 475 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 475

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 475

Last checked for changes 3 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →