All Roll Calls
Yes: 268 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Barbara A. Favola (Democratic)
Became Law
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 HB 717.
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4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
If someone changes the operator without filing the application, or files false information, they owe $2,000 for each day after the change. If they still do not apply within 60 days after the Commissioner learns of it, the state starts revoking the nursing home’s license. New operators must correct any application errors right away, report changes within 30 days after the effective date, and answer the Commissioner’s questions truthfully. Failure to notify or provide information can bring a $2,000 civil penalty.
The new operator or property owner must post a bond equal to $10,000 per licensed bed. They must keep it for five years. The bond is waived if the operator, or a person who owns at least 50% of the operator, directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the nursing home and its assets. If the bond lapses, the Commissioner gives notice and can revoke the license after 30 days. The state can use the bond to cover costs from closure, bankruptcy, receivership, license suspension, denial or revocation, a later change of operator without a new bond, or a CMS Special Focus listing during the five years.
Applicants must list anyone who owns 5% or more of the operator, the property, bed rights, or related service companies. They must disclose past nursing home ownership and any bad events in the last five years, like closures, bankruptcy, license actions, or court cases. The person in charge must have at least five years of experience. Applicants must attest to a quality and risk plan, required liability insurance, and enough qualified staff. The Commissioner denies a license if these rules are not met, or when a 25% owner or property buyer previously had 50% control during an involuntary closure, a bankruptcy or receivership not dismissed within 60 days, or a license suspension, denial, or revocation.
A new operator must get a state license before taking over a nursing home. They must file the form and pay the fee 45 days before the start, or 90 days if residents will move. The Commissioner can waive these deadlines in an emergency. After all rules are met, the Commissioner issues a notice of intent to grant the license. After a license is issued, the state Medicaid agency screens the provider before Medicare or Medicaid participation. If the license is denied, the applicant can appeal under the Virginia Administrative Process Act. The Board of Health sets the rules to carry out this law, and the first set of rules is exempt from the usual process.
Barbara A. Favola
Democratic • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 268 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Passed House Block Vote
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
Reported from Health and Human Services
Yes: 21 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/5/2026
Reported from Finance and Appropriations
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/22/2026
Reported from Education and Health and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
Yes: 14 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0415)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 415 (effective 7/1/2026)
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB247)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB247ER)
Enrolled
Signed by President
Signed by Speaker
Passed House Block Vote (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
Read third time
Read second time
Reported from Health and Human Services (21-Y 0-N)
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Rules suspended
Read second time
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day
Rules suspended
Chaptered
4/8/2026
Enrolled
2/26/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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