Virginia IVO AI Safety Study (SB 384/HB 797, 2026)
Virginia SB 384 / HB 797 — Independent Verification Organization (IVO) AI Safety Study Commission
Virginia · 2026 Va. Acts chs. 425 (HB 797) and 426 (SB 384), eff. July 1, 2026
- Status
- In effect
- Took effect
- July 1, 2026
- Applies to
- Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) — required to conduct and report the study
- Enforced by
- Virginia General Assembly (receives JCOTS report); no enforcement mechanism yet
Virginia enacted SB 384 and identical companion HB 797 on April 8, 2026 (Acts of Assembly chapters 426 and 425), directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to study the feasibility of a framework for Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs) - independent bodies that would assess whether AI models and applications meet best-practice standards designed to prevent personal injury and property damage. If JCOTS recommends a framework, it must also evaluate a licensing scheme for IVOs and whether the Virginia Information Technologies Agency or another agency could run it. JCOTS reports by November 1, 2026. This is a study directive only; it does not create any compliance obligations for AI developers or deployers today.
Who is protected: Virginia residents who may be harmed by unsafe AI systems (future protection, pending IVO framework adoption)
Legal detail
SB 384 / HB 797 (2026 General Assembly; 2026 Va. Acts chs. 426 and 425) direct the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) to evaluate the feasibility and impact of a framework for Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs) that would assess AI models' or applications' adherence to best-practice standards for preventing personal injury and property damage, considering risk magnitude, measurable risk metrics, existing mitigation standards, evaluation methodologies, other states' practices and fiscal impact; if a framework is recommended, JCOTS must evaluate an IVO licensing scheme and whether VITA or another agency could implement it. Report due to the money and technology committee chairs by November 1, 2026. No current compliance obligations. Companion to Virginia's deregulatory posture after Gov. Youngkin vetoed the broader HB 2094 high-risk AI act in 2025. Approved by Gov. Spanberger April 8, 2026; effective July 1, 2026. Votes: HB 797 Senate 40-0, House concurrence 84-14; SB 384 Senate 40-0, House 99-0.
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Strength | Limited |
| Enacted | April 8, 2026 |
| Citation | 2026 Va. Acts chs. 425 (HB 797) and 426 (SB 384), eff. July 1, 2026 |
| Topics | automated decision-making · government use of AI · AI disclosure and transparency |
| Bill text | Virginia LIS — SB 384 (2026): Independent Verification Organizations (IVOs) for AI Safety |
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Related automated decision-making rules elsewhere
- CA EO N-6-26 (AI Workforce) · In effect
- Arkansas public entity AI/ADS policy mandate (Act 848, 2025) · In effect
- Connecticut algorithmic rent ban — HB 8002 (eff. Jan 1, 2026) · In effect
- San Diego algorithmic rent price-fixing ban (Ord. O-21955, May 2025) · In effect
- Minneapolis algorithmic rent ban (Ord. 2025-010, eff. Mar 1, 2026) · In effect
- Seattle algorithmic rent-fixing ban (Ord. 127241 / SMC 7.34, July 2025) · In effect
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