Va. Code 19.2-11.14 (humans, not AI, must decide bail/sentencing/parole)
Virginia HB 1642 (2025) — Human Decision-Maker Required When AI Tools Are Used in Criminal Justice Decisions
Virginia · Va. Code 19.2-11.14; HB 1642 (2025), Va. Acts c. 637
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 1, 2025
- Applies to
- Courts, prosecutors, and corrections/criminal-justice decision-makers using AI-based tools in covered decisions.
- Enforced by
- Virginia courts (ordinary criminal procedure and the statutory right to challenge AI output).
Virginia requires that key criminal-justice decisions be made by a human being, even when an AI tool produces a recommendation or prediction. The rule covers pretrial detention or release, prosecution, adjudication, sentencing, probation, parole, correctional supervision, and rehabilitation. No such decision may be made without a human decision-maker, and any AI-generated recommendation is subject to any challenge or objection allowed by law.
Who is protected: Criminal defendants and offenders subject to detention, prosecution, sentencing, supervision, or release decisions informed by AI tools.
Legal detail
Va. Code 19.2-11.14 (HB 1642 (2025), Va. Acts c. 637) provides that covered criminal-justice decisions shall not be made without the involvement of a human decision-maker even where an AI-based tool generates a recommendation or prediction, and that such output remains subject to challenge.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | April 2, 2025 |
| Citation | Va. Code 19.2-11.14; HB 1642 (2025), Va. Acts c. 637 |
| Topics | police and surveillance AI · automated decision-making · government use of AI |
| Statute | Code of Virginia 19.2-11.14 — Use of artificial intelligence-based tool |
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