VirginiaHB14892026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Hospitals; reports of threats or acts of violence against health care providers.

Sponsored By: Kathy K.L. Tran (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Hospitals; reports of threats or acts of violence against health care providers; expansion of reporting requirements. Expands the reporting requirements for incidents of workplace violence in hospitals with an emergency department by requiring additional descriptors of incidents, requiring hospitals to report collected data to additional parties, and directing the Department of Health to publish a report containing an annual summary of such data. The bill directs the Board of Health to promulgate regulations implementing the provisions of the bill by January 1, 2027, and directs the Department of Health to publish its first report by December 31, 2027.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

9 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Better care for moms and newborns

Hospitals that provide obstetric care must have a protocol to admit or transfer women who arrive in labor. When a postpartum woman is identified with substance use under state law, the hospital must make a written discharge plan for her and her baby, discuss it with her, make referrals, and notify the local community services board to appoint a discharge plan manager, as allowed by federal law.

Doctor always on duty in emergency department

Hospitals that run emergency services must have a licensed physician on duty and physically present at all times. This gives patients immediate access to a doctor whenever they arrive at the emergency department.

More adult day centers allowed

Hospitals, nursing homes, and nursing facilities can run adult day centers if they obtain the proper license. This can expand daytime care options for seniors and adults who need supervision, depending on which local providers choose to open centers.

Stronger organ and tissue donation rules

Hospitals must follow clear organ donation rules that align with federal law. Each hospital must work with a designated organ procurement group and have agreements with at least one tissue bank and one eye bank. Hospitals must quickly notify the organ group about deaths or imminent deaths, and trained staff must inform families about donation options.

Stronger protections in nursing homes

Before admission, nursing homes must fully disclose their admissions policies and any preferences. Homes must offer residents a yearly flu shot and a pneumococcal vaccine unless a doctor says no or the resident declines. Homes must carry at least $1,000,000 in non‑eroding general liability insurance per incident and professional liability at least equal to the state recovery limit per patient occurrence. After discharge, homes must refund any unspent patient funds within 30 days of a written request, with limited exceptions for certain entrance fees. Homes must also sign up for sex‑offender registry notices and check whether a new resident must register when stays are expected to last more than three days.

Safer emergency rooms and reporting

Hospitals with emergency departments must have a security plan based on a risk review. They must have an off‑duty police officer or trained security when the review shows it is needed, unless the Commissioner grants a waiver. Hospitals must set up a workplace‑violence reporting system, tell all staff how to use it, and may not retaliate against employees who report or seek help. Hospitals must keep each report for at least two years with required details and give leaders a quarterly summary. Each year, hospitals send de‑identified totals to the Health Department, which keeps submissions confidential and publishes regional statistics. The Board of Health must issue rules by January 1, 2027. The first statewide report is due by December 31, 2027.

Air ambulance cost notice for patients

Before arranging air transport for a non‑emergency patient, the hospital must give written or electronic notice. The notice must say you may be able to choose medically appropriate ground transport. It must also say you may owe charges if the air provider is out of network or insurance does not cover it.

Clotting‑factor tracking and patient alerts

Facilities that treat hemophilia and stock clotting factors must record lot numbers for those products. If a lot is found contaminated, the facility must notify your doctor and ask the doctor to notify you. If the doctor cannot be reached, the facility must mail you a notice by return receipt.

Naloxone help for uninsured patients

Hospitals can sign an agreement with the Health Department to give naloxone or similar overdose‑reversal medicine to uninsured patients. Participation is optional, so availability depends on whether your hospital joins.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kathy K.L. Tran

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 316 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/2/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/27/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/16/2026

Passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/16/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/5/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0320)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 320 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/10/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

    3/10/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1489)

    3/9/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1489ER)

    3/9/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/9/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/9/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/9/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/2/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/2/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    2/27/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/27/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    2/27/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)

    2/26/2026Senate
  16. Assigned Education sub: Health

    2/24/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/17/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/17/2026Senate
  19. Passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026House
  20. Reconsideration of passage agreed to by House

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (96-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/16/2026House
  22. Read second time and engrossed

    2/13/2026House
  23. Read first time

    2/12/2026House
  24. Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N)

    2/10/2026House
  25. Subcommittee recommends reporting (9-Y 0-N)

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

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