2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26105679D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1440

Offered January 22, 2026

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 19.2-81.7, relating to protected areas; certain federal immigration enforcement prohibited; penalty.

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Patrons—Lopez, Anthony, Bennett-Parker, Clark, Cohen, Cousins, Feggans and Price

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Referred to Committee on Public Safety

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 19.2-81.7 as follows:

§ 19.2-81.7. Protected areas; certain federal immigration enforcement prohibited; penalty.

A. As used in this section, "protected area" means any place or facility that is owned or operated by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof and is (i) a hospital or other facility providing health care services; (ii) a school, including a preschool, primary school, or secondary school, vocational or trade school, or public institution of higher education; (iii) an office of an attorney for the Commonwealth; or (iv) any other place or facility designated by the Attorney General.

B. No employee or agent acting on behalf of a protected area shall knowingly permit any person to enter a nonpublic area of the protected area for the purpose or in furtherance of an operation executed in whole or part by federal authorities or out-of-state authorities that seeks to identify, arrest, or otherwise impose a penalty upon a person for purposes of federal immigration enforcement, including an immigration enforcement operation. Any violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a law-enforcement officer from complying with a valid judicial warrant to authorize a law-enforcement officer or federal immigration agent to enter into a protected area or entry into such protected area by a law-enforcement officer or federal immigration agent under exigent circumstances.

D. No person shall perform any act for the purpose or in furtherance of identifying, arresting, or otherwise imposing a penalty upon a person for purposes of federal immigration enforcement in a protected area, unless authorized to conduct such immigration enforcement by a judicial warrant or judicial subpoena. Any violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class 1 misdemeanor.