Vitamins, minerals, and food supplements; practice of chiropractic; definition. Amends the definition of "practice of chiropractic" to include recommending or directing patients on the use of vitamins, minerals, or food supplements. The bill also allows a chiropractor to recommend or direct patients on the use of vitamins, minerals, or food supplements, provided that the rationale for such recommendation is (i) documented in a patient's record and (ii) based on a reasonable expectation that the use of such vitamins, minerals, or food supplements will result in a favorable patient outcome, including preventive practices, and that a greater benefit will be achieved than that which can be expected without such use. Under the bill, such chiropractor is not permitted to sell, dispense, or recommend vitamins, minerals, or food supplements for use if such use will negatively impact any of the patient's existing medical conditions. This bill is identical to HB 1646.
Minor witnesses; appointment of guardian ad litem in circuit court. Authorizes a circuit court to appoint a discreet and competent attorney-at-law as guardian ad litem for a minor witness called to testify in a matter before the circuit court involving certain sex offenses. Under current law, a general district court may appoint a guardian ad litem for a minor witness called to testify in any proceeding and the circuit court may continue the appointment or appoint a new guardian ad litem for such matter on appeal.
Ignition interlock system; duration. Increases the period of time during which a person, as a condition of a restricted license, is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system from not less than six consecutive months to not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements. This bill is a recommendation of the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program.
Health insurance; coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorders; generally accepted standards of care. Requires health insurance coverage, as defined in the bill, to provide coverage for mental health and substance use disorder benefits for children, adolescents, and adults and requires such coverage to apply the definitions of "generally accepted standards of mental health or substance use disorder care" and "medically necessary" provided in the bill for any determination of medical necessity, prior authorization, or utilization review under such coverage.
Model policy for law-enforcement officer investigating overdose; notification to prescriber. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to establish a model policy for best practices for law-enforcement officers responding to or investigating an overdose to notify the prescriber of any controlled substance found to be in the possession of or ingested by the victim that such prescription was involved in an overdose.
Health insurance; coverage requirements for prostate cancer screenings. Updates existing mandated coverage requirements for prostate cancer screenings to reflect updated tests and guidelines from the American Cancer Society while also removing certain references to American Cancer Society Guidelines. Updated coverage requirements apply to health care coverage companies, the health care coverage plan for state employees, and the state plan for medical assistance services. The bill's provisions apply only to contracts, policies, or plans delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed in the Commonwealth on or after January 1, 2026. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Health Insurance Reform Commission. This bill is identical to SB 1314.
Behavioral health services; exchange of medical and mental health information and records; correctional facilities. Permits the Department of Medical Assistance Services, the Department of Social Services, and any local department of social services to access medical and mental health information and records for persons committed to any correctional facility for the purposes of providing pre-release services, reentry planning, and post-incarceration placement and services. The bill also authorizes the Department of Medical Assistance Services to access a juvenile's social, medical, psychiatric, and psychological reports and records during pre-release and up to 30 days following such juvenile's release from commitment for the purposes of providing pre-release services, reentry planning, and post-incarceration placement and services. This bill is identical to HB 2754.
Interstate Massage Compact. Authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Interstate Massage Compact. The Compact permits eligible licensed massage therapists to practice in Compact member states, provided that they meet certain requirements. The Compact takes effect when enacted by a seventh member state. Currently, two states have enacted the Compact.
Motor vehicle insurance; underinsured motorist coverage; required notice. Revises the language of the notice required to be enclosed with all motor vehicle insurance policies issued, delivered, or renewed after July 1, 2026, in the Commonwealth. The bill requires such notice to provide that the insured may choose to change the way the insured's underinsured motorist coverage is calculated.
Charter; Town of Shenandoah. Establishes a new charter for the Town of Shenandoah in Page County and repeals the current charter, which was created in 1926. The proposed charter sets out the organization of the town's government and contains powers typically granted to towns. This bill is identical to HB 2019.
Land application of sewage sludge; permit exemptions; sunset. Exempts from permitting requirements for land application, marketing, and distribution of sewage sludge any land application for a research project when such land is owned and operated by an institution of higher education in the Commonwealth. The bill requires the institution of higher education to notify the Department of Environmental Quality and the owner of every adjoining property of its intent to land apply such sewage sludge at least 30 days prior to commencing any land application of sewage sludge. The bill also requires the institution of higher education to comply with setback and recordkeeping requirements outlined in the Virginia Pollution Abatement Permit Regulation. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2030.
Public middle and high schools; establishment of career and technical student organizations; certain exclusions. Establishes an exception to the authority granted to each public middle school and high school to establish career and technical education student organizations, regardless of whether such school offers career and technical education courses, in the case of any such organization that is established as a federally chartered corporation pursuant to an act of Congress.
