CHAPTER 59
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 16.1-241 , 16.1-277.02 , and 16.1-278.3 of the Code of Virginia, relating to juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody; custodians.
[S 206]
Approved April 6, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 16.1-241 , 16.1-277.02 , and 16.1-278.3 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 16.1-241 . Jurisdiction; consent for abortion.
The judges of the juvenile and domestic relations district court elected or appointed under this law shall be conservators of the peace within the corporate limits of the cities and the boundaries of the counties for which they are respectively chosen and within one mile beyond the limits of such cities and counties. Except as hereinafter provided, each juvenile and domestic relations district court shall have, within the limits of the territory for which it is created, exclusive original jurisdiction, and within one mile beyond the limits of said city or county, concurrent jurisdiction with the juvenile court or courts of the adjoining city or county, over all cases, matters and proceedings involving:
A. The custody, visitation, support, control , or disposition of a child:
1. Who is alleged to be abused, neglected, in need of services, in need of supervision, a status offender, or delinquent except where the jurisdiction of the juvenile court has been terminated or divested;
2. Who is abandoned by his parent or other custodian or who by reason of the absence or physical or mental incapacity of his parents is without parental care and guardianship;