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HB 1297

Adult protective services; creates adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation central registry.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Nicole Cole

Virginia creates statewide adult abuse/neglect registry to track substantiated cases and enable cross-agency identification of patterns and risks to vulnerable adults.

Left in Committee Appropriations
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Bill Summary · HB 1297

Legislative bill overview

HB 1297 establishes a centralized registry system in Virginia to track reports of adult abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This registry would collect and maintain information about substantiated cases of harm to vulnerable adults, similar to existing child abuse registries in many states.

Why is this important

Creating a central database allows Adult Protective Services agencies, law enforcement, and relevant institutions to quickly identify patterns of abuse and flag individuals with histories of harming vulnerable populations. This infrastructure can improve coordination across agencies and potentially prevent serial abusers from accessing new victims, while also protecting at-risk adults through better information sharing.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and due process concerns: Registry inclusion could stigmatize individuals; questions arise about expungement rights, accuracy verification, and consequences of false or unsubstantiated allegations
  • Implementation costs and burden: The fiscal impact statement suggests operational expenses; small agencies may struggle with compliance requirements and data management systems
  • Registry scope and access: Disputes likely over who can access information (healthcare providers, employers, caregivers), what triggers inclusion, and whether the registry creates unfair collateral consequences for those seeking employment or housing

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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