All Roll Calls
Yes: 211 • No: 0
Sponsored By: Mark D. Obenshain (Republican)
Became Law
Health insurance; reporting requirements. Amends various reporting requirements related to health insurance, including by requiring the State Corporation Commission to maintain and publicly post an inventory of mandated benefits and providers, requiring health carriers to report annually on provider terminations and reinstatements, and consolidating reports related to balance billing and arbitration. The bill repeals reporting requirements related to the Comparable Health Care Service Incentive Program and Virginia Health Savings Account Plan. This bill is identical to HB 618.
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10 provisions identified: 8 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
If prescribed, the plan covers diabetes equipment, supplies, and outpatient training, including medical nutrition therapy. It also covers treatment for morbid obesity, including gastric bypass, using NIH‑recognized methods. You qualify if you are at least 100 pounds over ideal weight, have a BMI of 35 with a related condition, or have a BMI of 40 or more. Cost‑sharing and limits for these treatments must be no worse than for other illnesses.
The Department of Human Resource Management runs the health plan for state employees and retirees. The Commonwealth pays the plan costs it includes, funded by appropriations; part‑time workers must pay the full price themselves. Retirees can buy coverage, with optional dental and vision; the state may pay some cost but does not have to. Premiums and appropriations go to a separate trust fund, and claims incurred but reported later are paid from appropriations. Every planning district must have at least two plan choices, and by July 1, 2006 one option must be a high‑deductible plan that qualifies for a Health Savings Account.
Plans cover patient care costs in qualifying Phase II–IV cancer clinical trials (Phase I case‑by‑case) approved by the National Cancer Institute, FDA IND, VA, or other listed bodies. Coverage excludes the investigational drug or device and research management costs. Plans must not deny FDA‑approved cancer drugs used off‑label when a standard compendium supports the use. Plans also must cover other FDA‑approved drugs for covered conditions when a compendium or major peer‑reviewed articles support the use.
Plans must cover biologically based mental illnesses on the same terms as other illnesses. This includes copays, coinsurance, deductibles, limits, and medical‑necessity rules. Covered diagnoses include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, panic disorder, OCD, ADHD, autism, and substance use disorders.
You can go directly to a participating specialist and ask for a standing referral when needed. If your in‑network provider is dropped without cause, you can stay up to 90 days; through postpartum if you were in your second trimester; for life if terminally ill. The plan must publish an appeals process and offer fast emergency appeals. Independent review organizations make final, binding decisions when consistent with law and policy. The Office of the Managed Care Ombudsman helps with questions, appeals, and complaints.
Plans cover key preventive care. Low‑dose mammograms: ages 35–39 once; 40–49 every two years; 50+ yearly (a plan may cap at $50). They also cover annual Pap tests and colorectal screening per American College of Gastroenterology and American Cancer Society guidance. One PSA test and a digital rectal exam are covered every 12 months for age 50+, and for age 40+ if high‑risk per ACS rules. The plan covers FDA‑approved prescription contraceptives. Newborns get hearing screening and needed follow‑up by a licensed audiologist. Children under age three who are certified for Part H early intervention get speech, occupational, and physical therapy and assistive technology; these do not count toward lifetime limits, and prior coverage cannot be denied for a preexisting condition.
The plan covers postpartum inpatient care and at least one home visit using the latest professional guidelines. After a radical or modified radical mastectomy, at least 48 hospital hours are covered. After a total or partial mastectomy with lymph node dissection, at least 24 hours are covered, unless you and your doctor agree to shorter. After a laparoscopy‑assisted vaginal hysterectomy, at least 23 hours are covered; after a vaginal hysterectomy, at least 48 hours. Reconstructive breast surgery related to a mastectomy is covered for surgeries on or after July 1, 1998.
Beginning January 1, 2021, health carriers must run a program that pays you when you choose in‑network providers priced below the plan’s average. Small group plans must include this and tell you each year at enrollment or renewal that rewards are taxable under IRS rules. Incentives can be cash, gift cards, or credits that lower your premium, copay, or deductible; no payment is required when the carrier’s savings are $25 or less. You can prove you shopped with a price quote or by using the carrier’s cost website or toll‑free number. Carriers must file the program with the Commission first and can get exemptions for very limited networks. Every year, carriers report program results by April 1, and the Commission reports to lawmakers by November 1.
Since July 1, 2002, employees get a prescription benefit card or similar technology, and plans must reissue it when key data change. DHRM self‑insured plans may use a drug list, but a pharmacist‑doctor committee must review it at least yearly. You can get a medically necessary nonformulary drug without extra cost‑sharing, and the plan must decide within one business day. A plan may choose one mail‑order pharmacy whose main business is mail delivery. Plans cannot bar a doctor only because the Board of Medicine issued a reprimand or censure.
The law repeals Code sections 38.2‑3419.1, 38.2‑3445.2, and 38.2‑5601. The real‑world effect depends on what those sections used to do.
Mark D. Obenshain
Republican • Senate
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
All Roll Calls
Yes: 211 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2026
Passed House Block Vote
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2026
Reported from Labor and Commerce
Yes: 20 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/30/2026
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote
Yes: 38 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/29/2026
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/28/2026
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading)
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/26/2026
Reported from Commerce and Labor
Yes: 15 • No: 0
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0188)
Approved by Governor-Chapter 188 (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 State Corporation Commission (SB626)
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB626ER)
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 Labor and Commerce (20-Y 0-N)
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
Read first time
Placed on Calendar
Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (38-Y 0-N 0-A)
Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)
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
Reported from Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (SB626)
Chaptered
4/6/2026
Enrolled
2/26/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026
SB767 — Motor vehicles; glass repair and replacement, emissions inspections, penalties, repeals.
Motor vehicle glass repair and replacement; emissions inspection; penalties. Establishes various notice requirements for motor vehicle glass repair shops, defined in the bill, and provides that a violation of such requirements is a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. The bill permits a motor vehicle to qualify for an emissions inspection waiver if such vehicle has failed an inspection and the vehicle's onboard diagnostic system is in a not-ready condition to be tested when presented for reinspection. This bill is identical to HB 312.
SB803 — Virginia Fair Housing Law; regulations defining terms related to unlawful conduct.
Virginia Fair Housing Law; unlawful conduct. Directs the Fair Housing Board to promulgate regulations defining "quid pro quo harassment," "hostile environment harassment," and other terms related to unlawful conduct under the Virginia Fair Housing Law. The bill directs the Fair Housing Board to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.
SB731 — Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections.
Private companies providing public transportation services; employee protections; report. Requires the governing body of any county or city that contracts with a private company to provide transportation services to (i) require such company to provide any employee of such company providing such services compensation and benefits that are, at a minimum, equivalent to the compensation and benefits provided to a public employee, as defined in the bill, with a position requiring equivalent qualifications and years of service; (ii) provide transportation services through such company's own employees; and (iii) if such county or city subsequently elects to provide its own system of public transportation, adopt an ordinance or resolution providing for collective bargaining and ensure all employees of such private company are offered employment with such subsequent public transportation system without loss of compensation or benefits. The bill clarifies that the bill only applies to actions occurring on or after the effective date and excludes any action taken, contract signed, liability incurred, or right accrued prior to July 1, 2026, from the requirements. Finally, the bill directs the Director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to convene a work group to develop recommendations on how to implement the provisions of the bill and requires the work group to report its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the House Committee on Labor and Commerce and Senate Committee on Local Government by November 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 547.
SB620 — Va. ABC Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers, etc.
Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority; permitting of retail tobacco product retailers; purchase, possession, and sale of retail tobacco products; penalties; report. Transitions and provides a more comprehensive structure for the current licensing and enforcement responsibilities related to liquid nicotine and retail tobacco products from the Department of Taxation to a permitting system administered by the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority. The bill requires the Board of Directors of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage and Control Authority to conduct an unannounced buyer operation at least once every 24 months to verify that a permittee, defined in the bill, is not selling retail tobacco products to persons under 21 years of age. Portions of the bill have a delayed effective date of October 1, 2026. This bill is identical to HB 308.
SB666 — Residential land development and construction; fee transparency, local housing development.
Department of Housing and Community Development; housing development database. Requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to collect from each locality and make available to the public, localities, state agencies, and other state and regional public entities in a centralized, machine-readable, screen reader compatible database various data for each new and existing housing development in each locality in the Commonwealth, including data related to the number of housing development plans submitted and approved by the locality and the average approval timeline for housing development plans.
SB599 — Va. Opioid Use Red. & Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Trtmt. and Transition Fund; grant procedure.
Virginia Opioid Use Reduction and Jail-Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Transition Fund; grant procedures. Requires the grant procedure to govern funds awarded to local and regional jails for the planning or operation of substance use disorder treatment services and transition services for persons with substance use disorder who are incarcerated in local and regional jails to include requirements that (i) any grant awarded shall be made for up to three years and (ii) an applicant for a grant submit a plan demonstrating how such applicant will become independently financially viable within the time period for which the grant is awarded. This bill is a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care and is identical to HB 455.