Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §16.1-261 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§16.1-261. Statements made by a child during or after intake or mental health screening or evaluation prior to hearing.

Statements made by a child (i) to the intake officer or probation officer during the intake process or during (ii) to any persons participating in a screening, evaluation, or assessment of a child, including a mental health screening or assessment conducted pursuant to § 16.1-248.2 and, prior to a hearing on the merits of the petition filed against the child, shall not, with the exception of at disposition, be admissible at any stage of the proceedings.