VirginiaHB7172026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Nursing homes; application to Commissioner of Health for change of operator license, civil penalty.

Sponsored By: Rodney T. Willett (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Nursing homes; change of operator; application to Commissioner of Health for change of operator license; civil penalty. Requires a person taking over the daily operations and management of a nursing home when change of ownership or control occurs to apply to the Commissioner of Health for a change of operator license. The bill establishes the requirements for the application for and for the granting of such license and establishes a civil penalty for failing to provide the Commissioner with information or documentation, effectuating a change of operator without applying for a change of operator license, or providing fraudulent information on an application for a change of operator license. This bill is identical to SB 247.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Five-year safety bond for nursing homes

The new operator or the property owner must post a bond equal to $10,000 per licensed bed. The bond can be waived if the operator (or a 50% owner of it) also owns at least 50% of the nursing home and its assets. The bond must be kept for five years. The state can use it to pay costs from a closure, bankruptcy, receivership, license action, another operator change without a new bond, or a Special Focus listing during those five years. If none of those events happen, the bond can be released after five years. If the bond is not maintained after notice, the state can revoke the license 30 days later.

Penalties for unapproved nursing home takeovers

Operators must report application errors or changes right away, and updates within 30 days after the change. They must not finish the transfer until the state issues a notice of intent and must file a completion document within five days. If they fail to notify or provide information, they owe a $2,000 civil penalty. If someone takes over without applying or files a fraudulent application, they owe $2,000 per day starting the day of the change. If no proper application is filed within 60 days after the state learns of the change, the state must start license revocation.

Stronger vetting for new nursing home operators

A new nursing home operator must get a state license before taking over. They must file at least 45 days before the start date, or 90 days if residents will be moved. They must list all owners with 5% or more, related parties, and any serious problems at other homes in the last five years. The operator or the person in control must have five years of nursing home experience and must attest to a quality plan, required liability insurance, and enough qualified staff. The state issues a notice of intent before the change can close and must deny applications tied to past failures, including when a 25%+ owner once had 50% control of a troubled home. If the new operator wants Medicare or Medicaid, the state runs a federal provider screening before they can join. Denials can be appealed, and the Board of Health will issue rules, with the first rules adopted faster.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rodney T. Willett

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 265 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/10/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Reported from Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote 2/26/2026

Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

Yes: 14 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House Block Vote

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Reported from Appropriations

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote 2/13/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 7 • No: 0 • Other: 1

House vote 2/12/2026

Reported from Health and Human Services and referred to Appropriations

Yes: 21 • No: 0

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations

Yes: 10 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0414)

    4/8/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 414 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/8/2026Governor
  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB717)

    3/31/2026House
  4. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/31/2026Governor
  5. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

    3/31/2026House
  6. Signed by Speaker

    3/31/2026House
  7. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB717ER)

    3/30/2026House
  8. Enrolled

    3/30/2026House
  9. Signed by President

    3/30/2026Senate
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/10/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/10/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/9/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/9/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    3/6/2026Senate
  16. Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)

    2/26/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

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

    2/18/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/15/2026House
  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  23. Reported from Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

    2/13/2026House
  24. Reported from Health and Human Services and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 0-N)

    2/12/2026House
  25. Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human Resources

    2/12/2026House

Bill Text

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