The shocking new bill introduced by Virginia Dems
By Easton Martin | January 20, 2026
A sweeping new piece of legislation introduced by Virginia Democrats is generating fierce opposition for attempting to dismantle mandatory minimum sentencing for violent criminals.
House Bill 863, sponsored by Delegate Rae Cousins for the 2026 legislative session, proposes striking guaranteed prison terms for a wide range of felonies, a move that appears to prioritize the comfort of offenders over the safety of the public.
The text of the bill systematically crosses out “mandatory minimum” language across several sections of the Virginia Code. Most notably, the legislation targets protections for first responders. If passed, the bill would eliminate the mandatory prison time currently required for maliciously wounding law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel.
Under current law, attacking a police officer carries a guaranteed penalty, but HB 863 would allow judges the discretion to let such offenders walk away with suspended sentences.
The proposed changes regarding sex crimes are drawing particular ire. The bill removes the mandatory life sentence for the rape of a child under the age of thirteen. It similarly strikes the mandatory five year minimum sentence for the production and distribution of child pornography.
Additionally, the legislation deletes language requiring that prison terms for certain violent crimes be served consecutively. This change would allow rapists and violent felons to serve sentences for multiple crimes at the same time, effectively reducing their total time behind bars.
