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Bill

HB 224

Paternity; proceedings to establish.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Hope

HB 224 modifies Virginia paternity establishment procedures; passed House unanimously and awaits Senate committee review with identified fiscal impacts.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB224)
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Bill Summary · HB 224

Legislative bill overview

HB 224 modifies Virginia's legal procedures for establishing paternity in court proceedings. The bill has passed the House unanimously and is now in the Senate's Committee for Courts of Justice. The specific substantive changes are not detailed in the available action history, though a fiscal impact statement was prepared by the Department of Planning and Budget.

Why is this important

Paternity establishment affects child support obligations, inheritance rights, custody determinations, and access to health insurance and benefits. Changes to these procedures can significantly impact families, children's welfare claims, and the judicial system's workload. The unanimous House passage suggests broad bipartisan support for the modifications.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of procedural changes: Without access to the bill's full text, the specific modifications to paternity proceedings remain unclear and could range from minor administrative changes to substantive alterations in evidentiary standards or timelines
  • Fiscal implications: The fiscal impact statement suggests budgetary considerations that may affect court resources, social services agencies, or benefit programs
  • Burden distribution: Changes may shift responsibility between mothers, alleged fathers, state agencies, or courts, potentially creating concerns about due process or fairness depending on the direction of reform

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

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