House approves package of bills on juvenile shackling, human-trafficking vacatur, school policy and other measures

RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates on Feb. 10, 2025, passed a package of Senate bills that included limits on shackling juveniles in court, a process for vacating certain convictions for survivors of human trafficking, school-cell-phone policy changes and other measures affecting criminal procedure, education and administrative processes.

The House considered a mixture of uncontested third‑reading bills and several measures that drew recorded roll calls. Lawmakers voted to pass the bills listed below; where the House recorded a final tally, it is noted.

Among the bills approved was legislation limiting the use of restraints on juveniles in delinquency proceedings, allowing shackles only when a judge finds a child presents a threat of harm, has a history of disruptive courtroom behavior, or is a substantial flight risk. That measure moved forward after a committee substitute was agreed to and was described on the floor as identical to a House bill that had passed unanimously.

The House also passed legislation creating a statutory process for survivors of human trafficking to seek vacatur of certain convictions, a measure the House sponsor said had previously passed this body 96‑0.

Separately, the chamber enacted a bill directing schools to develop student cell‑phone and smart device possession and use policies appropriate to age and grade; that bill passed on a recorded vote, 67‑28.

Other enacted measures included technical and procedural changes in courts (including procedures for appeals and juvenile record collection), adjustments to definitions related to delivery sales and alcohol regulation, and bills addressing enforcement of foreign protective orders and employer liability in cases involving vulnerable victims.

Votes at a glance (selected bills discussed on the floor):

- Senate Bill 738 (student cell‑phone/smart device policies): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 67, Noes 28. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Russell.

- Senate Bill 846 (access to minors’ records via secure websites): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 90, Noes 5. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Kent.

- Senate Bill 894 (civil actions and employer liability for vulnerable victims): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 57, Noes 37, Abstentions 1. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Delaney.

- Senate Bill 901 (compensation of court‑appointed counsel): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 87, Noes 8. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Fernandez.

- Senate Bill 968 (annual collection of certain school staffing data by school boards/Board of Education): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 89, Noes 6. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate D. Askren.

- Senate Bill 1032 (teacher reemployment/notice requirements): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 50, Noes 45. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Reissant.

- Senate Bill 1261 (juvenile fingerprints/palm prints modernization — committee substitute conforming to House version): Passed on recorded vote, Ayes 66, Noes 29. Sponsor on the floor: Delegate Batten.

- Senate Bill 1460 (vacatur process for victims of human trafficking): Passed (vote recorded as part of an uncontested block reported as passed on the floor); sponsor: Delegate (floor remarks indicated House cognate had passed 96‑0).

Several other Senate bills in the larger uncontested blocks were read and moved for passage on the floor; the clerk announced motions and, where applicable, committee substitutes were accepted before the House recorded passage. For bills introduced without a floor roll‑call recorded in the transcript, the final votes were reported by the clerk as “passed” during the en bloc or uncontested roll calls.

What the bills do (selected highlights):

- Juvenile shackling limits: Restricts routine use of restraints on children in delinquency court; shackles permitted only under specified findings by a judge.

- Human‑trafficking vacatur: Establishes a path for survivors to seek vacation of convictions tied to their trafficking victimization and clarifies the process and investigative responsibilities.

- School device policies: Requires local school divisions to develop age‑appropriate digital device policies for K‑12 students.

- Foreign protective orders: Clarifies the enforceability of protective orders from other jurisdictions in Virginia code.

- Employer liability and vulnerable victims: Lowers a legal standard that had limited jury consideration of whether employers should be vicariously liable for harm caused by employees to vulnerable victims.

Next steps: Passed Senate bills will return to the Senate for any further action where required. For several measures, committee substitutes and conforming language were adopted on the House floor; sponsors said those changes harmonized Senate and House versions.

Speakers on the floor identified themselves by chamber and name when moving bills; the floor routine included committee substitute votes, motions to pass, and roll‑call closures by the clerk. The House adjourned to reconvene Feb. 11 at noon.