SB 429 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Health, Department of, and State Health Commissioner; nursing home oversight and accountability.

Summary
Department of Health; State Health Commissioner; nursing homes; periodic medical visits and resident assessments; oversight and accountability. Requires all nursing homes to notify the resident of a nursing home, the resident's family, and the Department of Health if a federally required physician visit does not take place. The bill also requires each nursing home to conduct a comprehensive assessment on an annual basis to determine each resident's needs and describe each resident's capability to perform daily life functions. Such assessments must be reviewed at least once every 92 days, and more frequently in the event of a significant change in the resident's physical or mental condition. The bill directs the Department of Health and State Health Commissioner to take steps to improve care quality, protect residents, and strengthen oversight and accountability of nursing homes in the Commonwealth. The bill directs the Department to enhance recruitment efforts and expand workforce capacity in the Office of Licensure and Certification, accelerate training and onboarding initiatives, and explore measures to reduce administrative burdens. The bill requires the Commissioner to submit an annual report with recommendations for continuing improvement of nursing home quality and oversight. This bill incorporates SB 555.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Health and Human Services Substitute Enrolled · 2 edits · Mar 9, 2026
MINOR
The bill has been finalized and approved as an Enrolled Act, moving it from a House Substitute version to its final legislative form. The substantive policy content regarding nursing home oversight, periodic medical visits, and resident assessments remains unchanged, with only minor formatting adjustments made to the section headers.
TECHNICAL

The document status was updated from a 'House Substitute' to 'Enrolled,' indicating the bill has passed both chambers and received the Governor's approval.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the section header for 32.1-138.5:2, changing the spacing before the section number.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 6, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 27, 2026

How they voted

380
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 39
Feb 6, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
35
Key actions
11
Committee
7
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 944 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB429ER)
upper
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with substitute (95-Y 1-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (21-Y 1-N)
lower
Feb 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Committee
Assigned sub: Health Professions
lower
Feb 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Jan 30, 2026
Committee
Assigned Education sub: Health Professions
upper
Jan 13, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors