At a meeting of the Courts of Justice Subcommittee, members considered a set of criminal‑law measures ranging from court reporting rules to public‑safety and school‑discipline proposals. Several items passed unanimously, one was tabled and another was carried to a later meeting for revision.

Recording proceedings in JDR courts: Senator Carol Foy presented Senate Bill 965, which would explicitly permit recording proceedings in juvenile and domestic relations (JDR) courts the same way recording is allowed in general district court, while allowing judges to impose restrictions that protect confidentiality. Foy said the bill ‘‘explicitly make[s] it clear that recording a proceeding in JDR is also allowed, the same as it is in general district court.’’ Counsel and sponsors emphasized the measure does not convert district courts into courts of record. Valerie LaRue of the Virginia Poverty Law Center testified in support, saying low‑income litigants often cannot afford court reporters and that lack of a recorded proceeding can hamper appeals. SB 965 was reported by the subcommittee unanimously, 8‑0.

Assaults on sports officials: Senator Williams Graves presented Senate Bill 986, which would create an enhanced penalty for assault or assault and battery against sports officials while they are performing duties and would require courts to prohibit a convicted person from attending events run by the employing organization for at least six months as part of the sentence. “The goal is to protect referees and to keep referees in the sport,” Williams Graves said, describing volunteers who are leaving because of assaults. Committee members questioned the breadth of the language — whether the enhancement would apply when the official is off duty or in a parking lot — and whether the statute should cover only battery (physical touching) rather than assault or assault and battery. Delegate Colson urged retaining judicial discretion rather than imposing a blanket mandatory prohibition, while Delegate Williams proposed striking to require battery only. The subcommittee decided to carry SB 986 to a later meeting for further work and possible amendments.

Proximity restrictions at state parks: Senator Diggs presented a substitute for Senate Bill 1108 to extend existing prohibitions that prevent certain convicted offenders from being within 100 feet of playgrounds, athletic fields or gymnasiums at local parks to state parks as well. Counsel explained the substitute narrows language to specific park premises and preserved language that permits a person to be at a park when they have custody of the child, unless evidence shows intent to have contact with children not in their custody. The subcommittee voted to report SB 1108 with substitute and re‑refer it to appropriations, unanimously, 8‑0.

School vaping penalties: Senator French presented Senate Bill 1146, a bill addressing student possession of vapes on school grounds that would make first offenses a school‑discipline matter under local discretion, second offenses subject to up to eight hours of community service with a parent present, and third offenses subject to a fine up to $50 with a parent present. Delegate Hope said she would oppose the bill, arguing that penalizing youth can criminalize children and that enforcement should focus on retailers who sell to minors. Delegate Colson cautioned that mandatory bans (for other bills) can have disparate impacts. After debate, the subcommittee voted to table SB 1146 on a recorded vote, 5‑3.

Other procedural actions: The committee reported SJ 293, a Supreme Court request to confirm the chairman of the Sentencing Commission, unanimously, 8‑0. Several measures were referred to later steps in the legislative process or held for amendment.

Votes at a glance (selected items): HB 1006 — reported with substitute, 8‑0; SB 1392 — reported, 8‑0; SJ 293 — passed, 8‑0; SB 965 — passed, 8‑0; SB 1108 (substitute) — reported and re‑referred to appropriations, 8‑0; SB 986 — carried to next meeting for further work (no roll‑call); SB 1146 — tabled, 5‑3.

Next steps: Bills reported by the subcommittee will be forwarded to the next committee or floor as required; SB 986 will be redrafted and returned for further consideration. The subcommittee adjourned.