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Bill

HB 839

Child custody proceedings; study, provisions to improve procedure for victims of family abuse, etc.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adele McClure

Virginia orders study to examine child custody procedures and recommend improvements for protecting domestic abuse victims in court proceedings.

Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
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Bill Summary · HB 839

Legislative bill overview

HB 839 directs Virginia to conduct a comprehensive study on child custody proceedings with specific focus on improving procedures for victims of family abuse. The bill examines how the court system currently handles custody cases involving domestic violence and recommends procedural reforms to better protect abuse victims and their children.

Why is this important

Family abuse victims often face significant barriers in custody disputes, including safety risks, power imbalances, and inadequate legal protections. Improving custody procedures could prevent abusers from using custody battles as continued control mechanisms and better safeguard vulnerable children from ongoing exposure to abuse dynamics.

Potential points of contention

  • Study scope and recommendations: Questions about whether the study will result in binding legal changes or remain advisory, potentially limiting its practical impact
  • Implementation costs: Concerns about funding for potential court procedure overhauls, training for judicial staff, and resources for victim advocates
  • Parental rights balance: Debates over how to simultaneously protect abuse victims while preserving due process rights for accused parents and maintaining custody opportunities for non-abusive parents

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

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