WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 885

Court Date Reminder Program; established, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and 11 co-sponsors

Virginia establishes a court date reminder program to reduce missed court appearances through defendant notifications, with a required implementation report.

Read third time and passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A)
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 885

Legislative bill overview

HB 885 establishes a court date reminder program in Virginia designed to notify defendants and other court participants of upcoming court dates. The bill passed the House unanimously and requires a report on the program's implementation and effectiveness.

Why is this important

Failed court appearances (failures to appear or FTAs) create significant costs for the justice system, contribute to case delays, and can result in additional criminal charges against defendants. An effective reminder program could reduce no-shows, improve court efficiency, and help individuals avoid compounding legal consequences due to missed dates.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding mechanisms – The bill's implementation costs and whether funding comes from existing court budgets or new appropriations is unclear from the summary
  • Privacy and data security – A reminder system requires collecting and storing personal contact information; protections against misuse or data breaches need clarification
  • Equity concerns – Reminder effectiveness may vary by population; those without stable phone numbers or addresses may still miss notices, potentially disadvantaging vulnerable populations
  • Scope limitations – The bill's coverage (which courts, which case types) and what triggers a reminder are not specified in the available information

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

Sign in to ask a question.