2026 SESSION

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE

26110158D

HOUSE BILL NO. 229

AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE

(Proposed by the Governor

on April 11, 2026)

(Patron Prior to Substitute—Delegate Hernandez)

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-283.3, relating to weapons; possession prohibited in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 18.2-283.3 as follows:

§ 18.2-283.3. Possession of a weapon in a hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services prohibited; penalty.

A. As used in this section:

"Developmental services" means the same as that term is defined in § 37.2-100.

"Hospital" means a public or private institution licensed pursuant to Chapter 5 (§ 32.1-123 et seq.) of Title 32.1 or Article 2 (§ 37.2-403 et seq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 37.2.

"Location-restricted knife" means a knife with a blade over three and one-half inches.

"Mental health services" means the same as that term is defined in § 37.2-100.

B. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally possess a (i) firearm, (ii) location-restricted knife, or (iii) other dangerous weapon, including explosives and stun weapons as defined in § 18.2-308.1, in the building of any hospital that provides mental health services or developmental services in the Commonwealth, including an emergency department or other facility rendering emergency medical care. Any such firearm, knife, explosive, or weapon shall be subject to seizure by a law-enforcement officer and forfeited to the Commonwealth and disposed of as provided in § 19.2-386.28. A violation of this subsection is punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. The provisions of subsection B shall not apply to (i) a law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9.1-101 or (ii) any person while in the actual discharge of his official duties as a correctional officer or jail officer as defined in § 53.1-1 or a correctional officer employed at a juvenile correction facility as defined in § 66-25.3.

D. Notice of the provisions of this section shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance of any hospital and no person shall be convicted of an offense under this section if such notice is not posted at each such public entrance, unless such person had actual notice of the prohibitions of this section.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 725 of the Acts of Assembly of 2025 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4 of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.