model confidence 80%
Expands the list of automatically protected benefit payments in garnishment notices and procedures to include child support payments, and requires financial institutions to automatically exempt recent child support deposits from garnishment (except possibly in support-related debts), so more funds (
Child support payments (§ 20-108.1, Code of Virginia).
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
model confidence 70%
Expands the list of automatically protected benefit payments in garnishment notices and procedures to include spousal support references, and notes that certain federal benefits may not be exempt in spousal support cases, so more funds are protected from garnishment in non-support debts while noting
If the debt at issue arises from a child support or spousal support obligation, the financial institution may be prohibited by law from withholding these benefit payments from garnishment.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Stage: Law · step 6 of 6
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill adds child support and references spousal support (alimony) to automatic exemptions and protected benefit payments from garnishment by financial institutions, and updates related notices and procedures. This protects more money belonging to the recipient (typically the custodial or supported parent) from being taken to satisfy other debts. No changes to custody standards, parenting time, support calculations, paternity, enforcement penalties, domestic-violence presumptions in custody, or third-party visitation rights. No other listed topics are substantively addressed.
| Date | Chamber | Motion | Yea-Nay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-01-26 | S | Rereferred from Commerce and Labor to Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) | 15-0 | Passed |
| 2026-02-09 | S | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (8-Y 6-N) | 8-6 | Passed |
| 2026-02-10 | S | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) | 40-0 | Passed |
| 2026-02-12 | S | Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) | 21-19 | Passed |
| 2026-02-18 | H | Reported from Courts of Justice (18-Y 4-N) | 18-4 | Passed |
| 2026-02-23 | H | Passed House (81-Y 15-N 0-A) | 81-15 | Passed |
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-13 | Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0638) | |
| 2026-04-13 | Approved by Governor-Chapter 638 (effective 7/1/2026) | |
| 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 |
| 2026-02-24 | S | Signed by President |
| 2026-02-24 | H | Signed by Speaker |
| 2026-02-24 | S | Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB301ER) |
| 2026-02-24 | S | Enrolled |
| 2026-02-23 | H | Passed House (81-Y 15-N 0-A) |
| 2026-02-23 | H | Read third time |
| 2026-02-20 | H | Read second time |
| 2026-02-18 | H | Reported from Courts of Justice (18-Y 4-N) |
| 2026-02-17 | H | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 2026-02-17 | H | Read first time |
| 2026-02-17 | H | Placed on Calendar |
| 2026-02-12 | S | Read third time and passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A) |
| 2026-02-11 | S | Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote) |
| 2026-02-11 | S | Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to |
| 2026-02-11 | S | Read second time |
| 2026-02-10 | S | Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) |
| 2026-02-10 | S | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A) |
| 2026-02-10 | S | Rules suspended |
| 2026-02-09 | S | Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (8-Y 6-N) |
| 2026-02-09 | S | Senate committee offered |
| 2026-01-26 | S | Rereferred from Commerce and Labor to Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) |
| 2026-01-13 | S | Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor |
| 2026-01-13 | S | Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105000D |