2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26103524D

HOUSE BILL NO. 1517

Offered January 23, 2026

A BILL to amend and reenact § 20-124 of the Code of Virginia, relating to mandatory sequestration of record; partial sealing; good cause shown exception.

—————

Patron—Bloxom

—————

Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

—————

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 20-124 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 20-124. Sequestration of record.

Upon Except for good cause shown, upon motion of a party to any suit under this chapter, the court may shall order the record thereof, including all motions and pleadings, or any agreement of the parties, filed therein, even if incorporated into a court order, to be sealed or partially sealed and withheld from public inspection and thereafter the same shall only be opened to the parties, their respective attorneys, and to such other persons as the judge of such court at his discretion decides have a proper interest therein. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, rulings and orders of the court shall be sealed only for good cause shown.