# Virginia SB270: Recovery residences; regulations.

Virginia SB270, Recovery residences; regulations., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic); status signed, last action 2026-04-22 (House concurred in Governor's recommendation (97-Y 0-N 0-A)); PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-12).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB270-2026
- As of: 2026-10-12
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB270
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Recovery residences; regulations.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-12
- Last action: 2026-04-22, House concurred in Governor's recommendation (97-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: yes
- Roll calls: 15 (535 yes, 74 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 9

## Summary

Recovery residences; regulations. Establishes certain requirements for recovery residences and directs the State Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Board) to promulgate regulations to establish minimum certification standards for recovery residences. The bill also requires that the regulations promulgated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (the Department) related to the certification of recovery residences include provisions that no recovery residence, or operator, employee, or agent of a recovery residence, may require a resident to participate in medical or psychological services, including clinical substance use treatment, that such recovery residence receives financial benefit from, either directly or indirectly, as a condition of entering or continuing residence at such recovery residence. The bill requires the Department to monitor credentialing agencies providing credentials to recovery residences to ensure criteria related to certification comply with regulations and specifies that no such credentialing agency shall provide credentials to a recovery residence that is owned or operated by an individual who is employed by or in a position of authority at such credentialing agency, or an immediate family member of any such individual. The bill also requires that referrals to recovery residences made by the Department, any agency of the Commonwealth, or by a court may only be made to recovery residences that are certified. This bill is identical to HB 931.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Recovery residents gain treatment and complaint protections: benefit, medium. Required state rules bar homes, operators, employees, and agents from tying entry or continued housing to services that financially benefit the home. This covers medical, psychological, and substance use treatment that provides a direct or indirect financial benefit. Complaint rules must allow dire…
- Recovery residents get clearer housing information: benefit, low. Recovery residences must tell prospective residents which group credentials them. Homes credentialed under National Alliance for Recovery Residences standards must disclose their level of staffing and support. Oxford House residences must disclose that residents govern the home and that it has no s…
- Recovery home approvals require independent reviewers: benefit, low. Credentialing groups cannot approve homes owned or operated by their employees, people in authority, or those people's immediate family members. The state can require affected homes to seek accreditation or membership from another specified group as a condition of certification.
- Recovery residents face marijuana restrictions: cost, low. The Board must set protocols barring recovery residents from possessing or using marijuana or marijuana products. The protocols must follow national best practices for the home's level of support.
- State recovery housing referrals face limits: mixed, low. Virginia agencies can refer people only to recovery residences certified by the state behavioral health department. Courts cannot refer or release someone to an uncertified recovery residence. These rules direct people to state-approved housing but exclude uncertified homes from those referral path…
- Recovery homes face certification deadlines: mixed, low. Virginia recovery residences must have state certification to operate or claim state approval. Operators can apply independently or through a credentialing group, which can submit forms, policies, and inspection reports for them. Conditional approval lasts up to six months, with one extension of up…
- Recovery homes face safety rules and penalties: mixed, low. Certification rules require the higher minimum space standard for beds and sleeping rooms: the credentialing group's standard or Virginia law's standard. Recovery residences must report any death or serious injury on their premises to the state behavioral health department. The Board must set proce…
- Recovery housing data becomes more public: mixed, low. Beginning January 1, 2027, the Board must adopt rules authorizing expanded reporting by certified and conditionally certified recovery residences. The rules must map existing credentialing data, identify national best-practice measures of effectiveness, survey operators' data capabilities, and set…
- Virginia develops shared recovery housing standards: mixed, low. The state behavioral health department must monitor credentialing groups and convene a work group of agencies, operators, local governments, and community representatives. The group develops uniform approval standards, low-income bed funding and reimbursement rules, treatment-choice protections, st…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Schuyler T. VanValkenburg (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-04-22 | Senate | Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 21 | 18 |   |
| 2026-04-22 | House | House concurred in Governor's recommendation | pass | 97 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-13 | House | Conference report agreed to by House | pass | 94 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-13 | Senate | Conference report agreed to by Senate | pass | 23 | 16 |   |
| 2026-03-06 | Senate | Senate acceded to request Block Vote | pass | 40 | 0 |   |
| 2026-03-03 | Senate | House substitute rejected by Senate | fail | 0 | 40 |   |
| 2026-02-27 | House | Passed House with substitute | pass | 96 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-24 | House | Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute | pass | 21 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) | pass | 39 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-16 | Senate | Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected | pass | 0 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-13 | Senate | Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) | pass | 35 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-12 | Senate | Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute | pass | 15 | 0 |   |
| 2026-02-06 | Senate | Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (60)

- 2026-04-22: House concurred in Governor's recommendation (97-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-04-22: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation (21-Y 18-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1000) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled bill text (SB270ER2) (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Reenrolled (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Approved by Governor-Chapter 1000 (Effective - see bill) (Governor)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-04-22: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-04-22: Governor's recommendation adopted (Governor)
- 2026-04-11: Governor's recommendation received by Senate (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 (Governor)
- 2026-03-31: Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026 (Senate)
- 2026-03-31: Signed by Speaker (House)
- 2026-03-30: Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB270ER) (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Enrolled (Senate)
- 2026-03-30: Signed by President (Senate)
- 2026-03-16: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-03-13: Conference report agreed to by House (94-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-03-13: Conference report agreed to by Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-12: Conference Report released
- 2026-03-11: House Conferees:Simon, Willett, Scott, P.A. (House)
- 2026-03-11: Conferees appointed by House (House)
- 2026-03-06: Senate acceded to request Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Senate Conferees: VanValkenburg, Favola, Reeves (Senate)
- 2026-03-06: Conferees appointed by Senate (Senate)
- 2026-03-04: House requested conference committee (House)
- 2026-03-04: House insisted on substitute (House)
- 2026-03-03: House substitute rejected by Senate (0-Y 40-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-27: Passed House with substitute (96-Y 0-N 0-A) (House)
- 2026-02-27: Engrossed by House - committee substitute (House)
- 2026-02-27: committee substitute agreed to (House)
- 2026-02-27: Read third time (House)
- 2026-02-27: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-02-26: Read second time (House)
- 2026-02-24: Committee substitute printed 26108534D-H1 (House)
- 2026-02-24: Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (21-Y 0-N 1-A) (House)
- 2026-02-19: Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services (House)
- 2026-02-19: Read first time (House)
- 2026-02-19: Placed on Calendar (House)
- 2026-02-17: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute rejected (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote) (Senate)
- 2026-02-16: Read second time (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Committee substitute printed 26107884D-S2 (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A) (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Passed by for the day (Senate)
- 2026-02-13: Rules suspended (Senate)
- 2026-02-12: Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Committee substitute printed 26107432D-S1 (Senate)
- 2026-02-09: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-06: Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-02-05: Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB270) (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services (Senate)
- 2026-01-12: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104739D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Chaptered, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225055.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225054.PDF)
- Reenrolled, 2026-04-22: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220560.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220559.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-04-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219206.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219205.PDF)
- Gov Recommendation, 2026-04-11: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219202.HTML)
- Enrolled, 2026-03-30: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213800.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213799.PDF)
- Conference Report, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209640.HTML)
- Substitute, 2026-03-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209637.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209636.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-24: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178040.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178039.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-13: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148592.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148591.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-09: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133953.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133952.PDF)
- Substitute, 2026-02-06: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132275.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132274.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-12: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087056.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087055.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Chaptered (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225055.HTML)
- [Chaptered (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1225054.PDF)
- [Reenrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220560.HTML)
- [Reenrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1220559.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219206.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219205.PDF)
- [Gov Recommendation (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1219202.HTML)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213800.HTML)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1213799.PDF)
- [Conference Report (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209640.HTML)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209637.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1209636.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178040.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1178039.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148592.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1148591.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133953.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1133952.PDF)
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132275.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1132274.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087056.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1087055.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB270-2026 (as of 2026-10-12).