Virginia General Assembly Passes House Bill 191 to Protect Minor Victims of Sex Trafficking

Sep 13, 2026, 7:30 AM ET

Officials gathered around a document on a podium in a wood-paneled chamber

RICHMOND, Va. – In a decisive move to safeguard vulnerable children, the Virginia General Assembly has passed House Bill 191, providing immunity from arrest and prosecution for minors who are victims of sex trafficking when charged with prostitution-related offenses. The legislation, which amends Section 18.2-361.1 of the Code of Virginia, marks a significant step toward treating these young victims as survivors in need of protection rather than criminals.

Introduced by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler, with co-patrons Delegates Karen Keys-Gamarra and Destiny LeVere Bolling, HB 191 was prefiled on January 7, 2026, and offered on January 14. It was promptly referred to the House Committee for Courts of Justice, where it received a fiscal impact statement from the Department of Planning and Budget on January 19.

The bill moved swiftly through the legislative process. On January 29, it was assigned to the Criminal Subcommittee, which recommended reporting it with a substitute by a vote of 10-0 on January 30. The full Courts of Justice Committee followed suit on February 4, reporting it with a substitute (printed as 26106683D-H1) by a unanimous 22-0 vote.

The House of Delegates gave HB 191 its first reading on February 6, second reading on February 9—agreeing to the committee substitute and engrossing the bill—and third reading and passage on February 10 with an overwhelming 98-0 vote.

Sent to the Senate, the bill saw its constitutional reading dispensed on first reading on February 11 and was referred to the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice. The Senate committee reported it with an amendment on February 18 by a 14-0 vote, accompanied by another fiscal impact statement.

On February 20, the Senate suspended rules, dispensed with constitutional reading on second reading by 40-0, but passed it by for the day on a voice vote. It advanced to third reading on February 23, where the Courts of Justice amendment was agreed to, the bill was engrossed by the Senate as amended, and passed on a block vote of 38-0.

The House concurred with the Senate amendment on February 25, passing it 96-1.

Under HB 191, no minor shall face arrest or prosecution for a qualifying offense if, at the time of the offense, they were a victim of sex trafficking as defined in Virginia law. Instead, such minors will be referred to the local department of social services for appropriate support and intervention. The bill also protects law enforcement officers acting in good faith, shielding them from liability for false arrest if it is later determined the minor qualifies for immunity.

This measure underscores Virginia’s commitment to combating human trafficking by ensuring that child victims are not further penalized through the justice system. By granting immunity, the legislation allows authorities to focus resources on prosecuting traffickers and predators who exploit minors, rather than ensnaring the innocent in cycles of incarceration.

The unanimous or near-unanimous votes across committees, floor debates, and chambers reflect a broad consensus on the moral imperative to protect children from exploitation. The swift progression—from introduction to concurrence in under two months—demonstrates the General Assembly’s prioritization of family safety and child welfare.

Fiscal impact statements from the Department of Planning and Budget indicate the bill’s provisions can be implemented without substantial new costs, relying on existing social services infrastructure and prosecutorial discretion. This fiscal prudence aligns with responsible governance, directing limited resources toward victim recovery and trafficker accountability.

Law enforcement gains crucial protections under the good faith clause, preserving officer morale and effectiveness in high-stakes trafficking investigations. Officers can act decisively knowing they are safeguarded when new evidence reveals a minor’s victim status.

As the bill awaits the Governor’s signature, it positions Virginia as a leader in humane, effective anti-trafficking policy. By decriminalizing survival acts of coerced minors, HB 191 promotes rehabilitation over punishment, fostering pathways to healing and reintegration into society.

Advocates for stronger child protections hail the bill as a victory for justice, emphasizing its role in dismantling the revictimization inherent in prosecuting trafficked youth. The legislation builds on Virginia’s existing frameworks against sex trafficking, enhancing tools for identification, referral, and support.

With near-unanimous support, HB 191 exemplifies legislative efficiency and unity on core issues of protecting the most vulnerable among Virginians—its children—from the grips of modern-day slavery.

Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Aaron Rouse Abigail Spanberger Adam Ebbin Adele McClure Alex Askew Alfonso Lopez Amendment Amy Laufer Angelia Williams Graves Anne Tata Arrest Atoosa Reaser Barbara Favola Barry Knight Betsy Carr Bill DeSteph Bill Wiley Bonita Anthony Briana Sewell Bryce Reeves Buddy Fowler Budget Charlie Schmidt Charniele Herring Children Chris Runion Christie Craig Christopher Head Cia Price Cliff Hayes Creigh Deeds Dan Helmer Danica Roem Danny Diggs David Marsden David Reid David Suetterlein Debra Gardner Delores McQuinn Delores Oates Destiny LeVere Bolling Don Scott Elizabeth Bennett-Parker Elizabeth Guzmán Ellen McLaughlin Emily Jordan Eric Phillips Eric Zehr Garrett McGuire Glen Sturtevant Governor Gretchen Bulova Hillary Kent Holly Seibold House of Delegates Human Trafficking Irene Shin Israel O'Quinn Jackie Glass Jas Jeet Singh Jason Ballard Jay Leftwich Jeion Ward Jennifer Boysko Jennifer Carroll Foy Jeremy McPike Jessica Anderson John McAuliff Joseph McNamara Josh Thomas Joshua Cole Justin Pence Kacey Carnegie Kannan Srinivasan Karen Hamilton Karen Keys-Gamarra Karrie Delaney Kathy Tran Katrina Callsen Keith Hodges Kelly Convirs-Fowler Kimberly Pope Adams Lamont Bagby Lashrecse Aird Laura Cohen Law Enforcement Lee Ware Legislation Leslie Mehta Lily Franklin Lindsey Dougherty Louise Lucas Luke Torian Luther Cifers Madison Whittle Mamie Locke Marcus Simon Margaret Franklin Mark Downey Mark Obenshain Mark Peake Marty Martinez May Nivar Michael Feggans Michael Jones Michael Webert Michelle Maldonado Mike Cherry Minors Mitchell Cornett Nadarius Clark Nicole Cole Otto Wachsmann Patrick Hope Paul Krizek Phil Hernandez Phillip Scott Policy prostitution Rae Cousins Richard Stuart Richmond Rip Sullivan Robert Bloxom Rodney Willett Rozia Henson Russet Perry Ryan McDougle Saddam Salim Sam Rasoul Schuyler VanValkenburg Scott Surovell Scott Wyatt Senate Shelly Simonds Stacey Carroll Stella Pekarsky Tammy Mulchi Tara Durant Terry Austin Terry Kilgore Tim Griffin Timmy French Todd Pillion Tom Garrett Tommy Wright Tony Wilt Travis Hackworth Virgil Thornton Virginia Virginia House of Delegates Virginia Senate Vivian Watts Wendell Walker Will Davis Will Morefield William Stanley Wren Williams