Virginia · 2026 Regular Session

SB173 Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.

Direction

Firearms weapon accessory restrictionsAI label

Restricts gun access model confidence 90%

Prohibits possession of firearms, location-restricted knives, and other dangerous weapons (including explosives and stun weapons) in hospitals providing mental health or developmental services, so less ability to carry firearms in those locations.

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.

✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text

Filed (completed)
Committee (completed)
Passed one chamber (completed)
Passed both (completed)
Governor (completed)
Law

Stage: Law · step 6 of 6

Last action: 2026-05-14: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1109)
Filed: 2026-01-08
Sponsor: Angelia Williams Graves D

Read official text (Chaptered)Legislature page LegiScan

Why the model tagged it this way: The bill creates a new prohibition on possessing firearms and certain weapons in specific hospital settings that provide mental health or developmental services, with exceptions for law enforcement and authorized persons. This directly addresses firearms by adding a location-based restriction on carry/possession. No other listed topics are substantively addressed.

Related bills

HB926 Outdoor shooting of firearm on property without reasonable care; prohibition, penalty.Restricts gun access No change to gun access Committee
HB217 Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
HB229 Weapons; possession prohibited in hospital that provides mental health or developmental services.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law
SB749 Assault firearms & certain ammunition feeding devices; purchase, sale, etc., prohibited, penalties.Restricts gun access Restricts gun access Law

Hearings and calendar

2026-01-26 08:00 · Hearing · Senate Courts of Justice Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-04 09:00 · Hearing · Senate Finance and Appropriations Hearing Senate Room A, Room 305, General Assembly Building
2026-02-13 08:00 · Hearing · House Public Safety Hearing House Committee Room A - 008

Votes

Date	Chamber	Motion	Yea-Nay
2026-01-26	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)	9-5	Passed
2026-02-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)	10-5	Passed
2026-02-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)	40-0	Passed
2026-02-09	S	Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)	21-19	Passed
2026-02-13	H	Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)	13-7	Passed
2026-02-16	H	Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)	63-35	Passed
2026-04-22	S	Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A)	21-18	Passed

Text versions

Introduced 2026-01-08
Comm Sub 2026-01-26
Comm Sub 2026-01-28
Enrolled 2026-02-18
Comm Sub 2026-04-13
Comm Sub 2026-04-13
Chaptered 2026-05-14

History (38 actions)

Date	Chamber	Action
2026-05-14		Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1109)
2026-05-14		Approved by Governor-Chapter 1109 (effective 7/1/2026)
2026-04-22		Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026
2026-04-22	S	Communicated to Governor
2026-04-22	S	Passed by for the day (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
2026-04-13	S	Substitute bill reprinted 26110156D
2026-04-11		Governor's recommendation received by Senate
2026-03-10		Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
2026-03-10	S	Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
2026-02-18	S	Signed by President
2026-02-18	H	Signed by Speaker
2026-02-18	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)
2026-02-18	S	Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB173ER)
2026-02-18	S	Enrolled
2026-02-16	H	Passed House (63-Y 35-N 0-A)
2026-02-16	H	Read third time
2026-02-15	H	Read second time
2026-02-13	H	Reported from Public Safety (13-Y 7-N)
2026-02-12	H	Referred to Committee on Public Safety
2026-02-12	H	Read first time
2026-02-12	H	Placed on Calendar
2026-02-09	S	Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
2026-02-06	S	Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute (Voice Vote)
2026-02-06	S	Courts of Justice Substitute agreed to
2026-02-06	S	Read second time
2026-02-06	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)
2026-02-05	S	Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
2026-02-05	S	Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
2026-02-05	S	Rules suspended
2026-02-04	S	Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 5-N)
2026-01-30	S	Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/30/2026 1:45 pm)
2026-01-28	S	Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB173)
2026-01-28	S	Committee substitute printed 26106282D-S1
2026-01-26	S	Senate committee offered
2026-01-26	S	Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N)
2026-01-12	S	Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/12/2026 11:30 am)
2026-01-08	S	Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
2026-01-08	S	Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105103D