2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102508D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1235

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled January 14, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 17.1-222.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to clerks of circuit court; fees; online payment systems.

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Patron—Delaney

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 17.1-222.1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 17.1-222.1. Collection of fees, etc., by court clerks in lieu of money.

The clerks of the several courts of the Commonwealth may, in lieu of money, collect or secure all fees, and fines and penalties collected for offenses committed against the Commonwealth or against any county, city or town, and for payment of spousal or child support, by any means provided in § 2.2-614.1. Such clerks shall not by virtue of acceptance of any such payment be held to be guarantors of the payment thereof, but they shall exercise ordinary care in such acceptance.

If a clerk's office allows payment to occur via an already established online payment system for collection of any one type of fee or cost, it shall offer such payment method for all payments necessary to be made to the court, including fines, fees, costs, and restitution. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to require a clerk's office to create an online payment system if one does not currently exist.