(HealthSaf) Health, Safety & Welfare
HB 193 Certificates of public need; creates three-phase process to sunset requirements for medical care.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as passed House: Certificates of public need. Creates a two-phase process to sunset certificate of public need requirements for many categories of medical care facilities and projects, with the requirement for a certificate of public need (i) for ambulatory and outpatient surgery centers other than rural ambulatory and outpatient surgery centers and for capital expenditures at medical care facilities other than rural medical care facilities repealed in effective July 1, 2016, and (ii) for all medical care facilities other than nursing homes, rehabilitation hospitals and beds, organ or tissue transplant services, certain open heart surgery services, and rural medical care facilities repealed effective January 1, 2017. The bill also creates a new permitting process for categories of facilities and projects exempted from the certificate of public need process that requires the Commissioner of Health to issue a permit but requires the Commissioner to condition a permit (a)on the agreement of the applicant to provide a specified level of care at a reduced rate to indigents, accept patients requiring specialized care, or facilitate the development and operation of primary medical care services in designated medically underserved areas of the applicant's service area and (b) on compliance of the applicant with quality of care standards. The bill also eliminates regional health planning agencies and makes numerous changes to the COPN process for facilities and projects that will still be subject to the requirement of a certificate.
02/16/16 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed HB 350 Certificate of public need; changes to Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Program.Chief patron: Byron Summary as passed House: Certificate of public need. Makes changes to the Medical Care Facilities Certificate of Public Need Program. The bill removes various behavioral health facilities from the list of medical care facilities and projects subject to the requirement of a certificate of public need and makes various changes to procedures governing the certificate of public need process, including (i) defining "charity care" for purposes of the certificate of public need program; (ii) establishing an expedited 45-day review process for applicants for projects determined by the Department of Health (the Department) to be uncontested and to present minimal health planning impacts and for which the applicant agrees to comply with quality assurance requirements established by the Board of Health (the Board) and consents to provide charity care in an amount specified by the Board; (iii) establishing an expedited 120-day review process for applicants for projects identified by the Department to be uncontested and to present limited health planning impacts that require an intermediate level of scrutiny and for which the applicant agrees to comply with quality assurance requirements established by the Board and consents to provide charity care in an amount specified by the Board; (iv) clarifies the content of a completed application for a certificate; (v) eliminates the requirement for a public hearing on applicants for certificates; (vi) reduces the timeline from 80 calendar days to four days for a person to be made party to the case for good cause following completion of the review and submission of recommendations related to an application; (vii) requires the Department to establish a website to make information about the certificate of public need program, including information about letters of intent received by the Department, available to the public; and (viii) establishes a permit process for projects that are no longer subject to the requirement for a certificate of public need, which includes provisions for charity care requirements and quality assurance. The bill also (a) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to review requirements governing imposition and satisfaction of charity care requirements for certificates of public need, including provisions for defining charity care and calculating the amount and value of charity care required and provided, develop recommendations for standardizing and enforcing such requirements, and report his recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2016, and (b) requires the Department to work cooperatively with Virginia Health Information to develop a process for the collection of utilization data for recipients of certificates of public need describing specific types of equipment utilized.
03/07/16 Senate: Reading of substitute waived HB 473 Palliative Care Information and Education Program; established.Chief patron: Filler-Corn Summary as introduced:
01/14/16 House: Assigned HWI sub: Subcommittee #3 HB 900 Associate physicians; requirements for licensure, practice agreements.Chief patron: Stolle Summary as passed House: Licensure and practice of associate physicians. Authorizes the Board of Medicine to issue a two-year license to practice as an associate physician to an applicant who is 18 years of age or older, is of good moral character, has successfully graduated from an accredited medical school, has successfully completed Step 1 and Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination, and has not been engaged in a postgraduate medical internship or residency training program. The bill requires all associate physicians to practice in accordance with a practice agreement entered into between the associate physician and a physician licensed by the Board and provides for prescriptive authority of associate physicians in accordance with regulations of the Board. The bill requires the Board to promulgate such regulations to be effective no later than July 1, 2018.
02/03/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health HB 1098 Chiropractic, practice of; expands definition.Chief patron: Villanueva Summary as introduced:
01/19/16 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1098) HB 1130 Medical records; fee limits and penalty for failure to provide.Chief patron: Habeeb Summary as introduced:
01/13/16 House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice HB 1393 Direct primary care agreements; Commonwealth's insurance laws do not apply.Chief patron: Landes Summary as introduced:
07/18/16 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100092D HB 1408 Student vision screenings; requirements for certain students.Chief patron: Ware Summary as passed House: Student vision screenings. Requires (i) the principal of each public elementary school to cause the vision of students in kindergarten and grade two or grade three to be screened unless certain exceptions apply and (ii) the principal of each public middle school and high school to cause the vision of students in grade seven and grade 10 to be screened unless certain exceptions apply and permits any such screening to be conducted by a qualified nonprofit vision health organization that uses a digital photoscreening method pursuant to a comprehensive vision program. The bill defines "qualified nonprofit vision health organization" and "comprehensive vision program." Under current law, the frequency of such vision screenings is determined by the Board of Education pursuant to regulations. Current law is silent on the method and provider of such vision screenings.
02/20/17 Senate: Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N) HB 1420 Certificate of public need; repeals certain requirement involving psychiatric beds, etc.Chief patron: Farrell Summary as passed House: Certificate of public need; psychiatric beds and services. Repeals the requirement for a certificate of public need for certain projects involving mental hospitals or psychiatric hospitals and intermediate care facilities established primarily for the medical, psychiatric, or psychological treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with substance abuse. The bill creates a new permitting process for such projects, exempted from the certificate of public need process, that requires the Commissioner of Health to issue a permit upon the agreement of the applicant to certain charity care conditions and quality of care standards.
02/03/17 House: VOTE: PASSAGE (86-Y 8-N) HB 1424 Prescription drugs; purpose of labeling.Chief patron: Cole Summary as introduced:
11/03/16 House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions HB 1435 VIEW; pilot program for substance abuse screening and assessment.Chief patron: Head Summary as introduced:
01/19/17 House: Subcommittee recommends referring to Committee on Appropriations HB 1449 Naloxone; dispensing for use in opioid overdose reversal, etc.Chief patron: Boysko Summary as introduced:
12/01/16 House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions HB 1453 Naloxone; dispensing for use in opioid overdose reversal, etc.Chief patron: LaRock Summary as passed House: Dispensing of naloxone. Allows a person who is authorized by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to train individuals on the administration of naloxone for use in opioid overdose reversal and who is acting on behalf of an organization that provides services to individuals at risk of experiencing opioid overdose or training in the administration of naloxone for overdose reversal and that has obtained a controlled substances registration from the Board of Pharmacy pursuant to § 54.1-3423 to dispense naloxone to a person who has completed a training program on the administration of naloxone for opioid overdose reversal, provided that such dispensing is (i) pursuant to a standing order issued by a prescriber, (ii) in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, and (iii) without charge or compensation. The bill also provides that dispensing may occur at a site other than that of the controlled substance registration, provided that the entity possessing the controlled substance registration maintains records in accordance with regulations of the Board of Pharmacy. The bill further provides that a person who dispenses naloxone shall not be liable for civil damages of ordinary negligence for acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment if he acts in good faith and that a person to whom naloxone has been dispensed pursuant to the provisions of the bill may possess naloxone and may administer naloxone to a person who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to SB 848. EMERGENCY
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1467 Board of Health to adopt regulations to include neonatal abstinence syndrome as reportable disease.Chief patron: Greason Summary as introduced:
02/20/17 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (40-Y 0-N) HB 1474 Dental hygienist; remote supervision.Chief patron: Orrock Summary as passed: Dental hygiene; remote supervision. Eliminates the requirement that a dental hygienist providing dental hygiene services under remote supervision be employed by the supervising dentist; clarifies continuing education requirements for dental hygienists practicing under remote supervision; eliminates the requirement for written permission to treat a patient from a dentist who has treated the patient in the previous 12 months; and allows a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision to treat a patient who provides verbal confirmation that he does not have a dentist of record whom he is seeing regularly. The bill eliminates the requirement that a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision consult with the supervising dentist prior to providing further dental hygiene services if the patient is medically compromised or has periodontal disease and allows a dental hygienist practicing under remote supervision to provide further dental hygiene services in accordance with a written practice protocol developed and provided by the supervising dentist, which shall consider, at minimum, the medical complexity of the patient and the presenting signs and symptoms of oral disease. The bill requires a supervising dentist who conducts the examination of the patient or refers the patient to another dentist for examination following the 90-day period during which a dental hygienist is permitted to provide dental hygiene services under remote supervision to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan for the patient. The bill directs the Board of Dentistry to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the act within 280 days of its enactment.
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1474ER) HB 1483 BHDS, Board of; regulations governing licensure of providers.Chief patron: Bell, Richard P. Summary as passed House: Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to amend regulations governing licensure of providers to include certain definitions. Requires the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to amend regulations to include (I) occupational therapists in the definitions of "Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adult," "Qualified Mental Health Professional - Child," and "Qualified Mental Retardation Professional" and (ii) occupational therapy assistants in the definition of "Qualified Paraprofessional in Mental Health." In amending these definitions, the Board shall require educational and clinical experience for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants that is substantially equivalent to comparable professionals listed in the current regulations. The bill requires the Board to enact regulations to be effective within 280 days.
02/16/17 House: Impact statement from DPB (HB1483ER) HB 1484 Occupational therapists; Board of Medicine shall amend regulations governing licensure.Chief patron: Bell, Richard P. Summary as passed: Board of Medicine to amend regulations governing licensure of occupational therapists to specify Type 1 continuous learning activities. Directs the Board of Medicine to amend regulations governing licensure of occupational therapists to provide that Type 1 continuing learning activities that shall be completed by the practitioner prior to renewal of a license shall consist of an organized program of study, classroom experience, or similar educational experience that is related to a licensee's current or anticipated roles and responsibilities in occupational therapy and approved or provided by one of the following organizations or any of its components: the Virginia Occupational Therapy Association; the American Occupational Therapy Association; the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy; a local, state, or federal government agency; a regionally accredited college or university; or a health care organization accredited by a national accrediting organization granted authority by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assure compliance with Medicare conditions of participation. Such regulations shall also provide that Type 1 continuing learning activities may also include an American Medical Association Category 1 Continuing Medical Education program. The bill further provides that the Board of Medicine shall not deem maintenance of any certification provided by such organization as sufficient to fulfill continuing learning requirements for occupational therapists.
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1484ER) HB 1497 Ophthalmic prescriptions; definitions, who may provide prescriptions, requirements.Chief patron: Farrell Summary as passed House: Requirements for ophthalmic prescriptions. Requires, for ophthalmic prescriptions written on or after July 1, 2017, that an ophthalmologist or optometrist establish a bona fide provider-patient relationship with a patient prior to prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses, and sets out requirements for establishing such relationship, which includes options for examination of the patient either in person or through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication or store-and-forward technologies. This bill is identical to SB 1321.
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1497ER) HB 1514 Doctor of medicine, etc.; reporting disabilities of drivers to DMV, not subject to civil liability.Chief patron: Fowler Summary as passed House: Health care practitioners; reporting disabilities of drivers. Provides that any doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, or podiatry or any nurse practitioner, physician assistant, optometrist, physical therapist, or clinical psychologist who reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles the existence, or probable existence, of a mental or physical disability or infirmity of any person licensed to operate a motor vehicle that the reporting individual believes affects such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely is not subject to civil liability or deemed to have violated the practitioner-patient privilege unless he has acted in bad faith or with malicious intent.
02/08/17 Senate: Rereferred to Education and Health HB 1541 Board of Nursing; powers and duties.Chief patron: Robinson Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1544 Certificates of public need; conditions on certificates, alternative plans of compliance.Chief patron: Collins Summary as passed House: Certificates of public need; alternative plans of compliance. Provides that in cases in which a certificate holder holds more than one certificate of public need with conditions, and the certificate holder is unable to satisfy the conditions of one certificate, the Department of Health may provide for satisfaction of the conditions on that certificate by the provision of care at a reduced rate to indigent individuals in excess of the amount required by another certificate issued to the same holder, in an amount approved by the Department as part of an alternative plan of compliance.
02/20/17 Senate: Engrossed by Senate as amended HB 1548 Advance directives; admission of person for mental health treatment, capacity determinations.Chief patron: Farrell Summary as passed: Advance directives; mental health treatment; capacity determinations. Provides that in cases in which a person has executed an advance directive granting an agent the authority to consent to the person's admission to a facility for mental health treatment and the advance directive so authorizes, the person's agent may exercise such authority after a determination that the person is incapable of making an informed decision regarding such admission has been made by (i) the attending physician, (ii) a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist, (iii) a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, (iv) a licensed clinical social worker, or (v) a designee of the local community services board as defined in § 37.2-809. The bill also provides that a person's agent may make a health care decision over the protest of the person if, in addition to other factors, at the time the advance directive was made, a licensed physician, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed physician assistant, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed professional counselor, or licensed clinical social worker who is familiar with the person attested in writing that the person was capable of making an informed decision and understood the consequences of the provision. This bill is identical to SB 1511.
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from DPB (HB1548ER) HB 1549 Community services boards and behavioral health authorities; services to be provided.Chief patron: Farrell Summary as passed House: Community services boards and behavioral health authorities; services to be provided. Provides that the core of services provided by community services boards and behavioral health authorities shall include, effective July 1, 2019, same-day access to mental health screening services. The bill also requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to report annually regarding progress in the implementation of this act.
02/21/17 Senate: Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute HB1549S1 HB 1550 Study; Depts of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and Medical Assistance Services.Chief patron: Farrell Summary as introduced:
12/29/16 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17101408D HB 1563 Hospitals; regulations governing, facilities performing abortions.Chief patron: Kory Summary as introduced:
01/01/17 House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions HB 1642 Naloxone or other opioid antagonist; possession and administration.Chief patron: Hope Summary as passed House: Possession and administration of naloxone. Adds employees of the Department of Forensic Science, employees of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and employees of the Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services to the list of individuals who may possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonist, provided that they have completed a training program. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to SB 1031. EMERGENCY
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1675 Palliative care information and resources; VDH to make information available on its website.Chief patron: Bulova Summary as passed House: Palliative care information and resources. Requires the Department of Health to make information about and resources on palliative care available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities on its website.
02/20/17 House: House acceded to request HB 1736 Joint Commission on Health Care; sunset.Chief patron: Hope Summary as introduced: Joint Commission on Health Care; sunset. Extends the expiration of the Joint Commission on Health Care from July 1, 2018, to July 1, 2022.
02/16/17 House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1736ER) HB 1750 Dispensing of naloxone; patient-specific order not required.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1750ER) HB 1751 Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth; mission.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as introduced: Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth; mission. Expands the mission of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to include the reduction and prevention of substance use by youth in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to SB 1050.
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1767 Telemedicine, practice of; prescribing controlled substances.Chief patron: Garrett Summary as passed House: Practice of telemedicine; prescribing. Provides that a health care practitioner who performs or has performed an appropriate examination of the patient, either physically or by the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment, for the purpose of establishing a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship may prescribe Schedule II through VI controlled substances to the patient, provided that the prescribing of such controlled substance is in compliance with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine. The bill also authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to register an entity at which a patient is treated by the use of instrumentation and diagnostic equipment for the purpose of establishing a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship and is prescribed Schedule II through VI controlled substances to possess and administer Schedule II through VI controlled substances when such prescribing is in compliance with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine and the patient is not in the physical presence of a practitioner registered with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to SB 1009. EMERGENCY
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1786 In utero exposure to a controlled substance; departments of social services to collect information.Chief patron: Stolle Summary as passed House: In utero exposure to a controlled substance. Requires local departments of social services to collect information during a family assessment to determine whether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child's birth. The bill requires mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect to make a report if a finding is made by a health care provider (i) within six weeks following a child's birth that the child was born affected by substance abuse or experiencing withdrawal symptoms resulting from in utero drug exposure; (ii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has an illness, disease, or condition that is attributable to maternal abuse of a controlled substance during pregnancy; or (iii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder attributable to in utero exposure to alcohol. The bill provides that if a local department of social services receives a report or complaint of suspected child abuse or neglect on the basis of one or more of the aforementioned factors, the local department shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required by law or is necessary to protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. This bill is identical to SB 1086.
02/16/17 House: Enrolled HB 1799 Controlled substances; use of FDA-approved substance upon publication of final rule, etc.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as passed: Board of Pharmacy to deschedule or reschedule controlled substances. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy (Board) to designate, deschedule, or reschedule as a controlled substance any substance 30 days after publication in the Federal Register of a final or interim final order or rule designating such substance as a controlled substance or descheduling or rescheduling such substance. Under current law, the Board may act 120 days from such publication date. The bill also provides that a person is immune from prosecution for prescribing, administering, dispensing, or possessing pursuant to a valid prescription a substance approved as a prescription drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on or after July 1, 2017, in accordance with a final or interim final order or rule despite the fact that such substance has not been scheduled by the Board. The immunity provided by the bill remains in effect until the earlier of (i) nine months from the date of the publication of the interim final order or rule or, if published within nine months of the interim final order or rule, the final order or rule or (ii) the substance is scheduled by the Board or by law. This bill is identical to SB 1403.
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1799ER) HB 1840 Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); confidentiality of tests, release of information.Chief patron: Stolle Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB1840ER) HB 1885 Opioids; limit on amount prescribed, extends sunset provision.Chief patron: Hugo Summary as passed House: Limits on prescription of controlled substances containing opioids. Requires a prescriber registered with the Prescription Monitoring Program (the Program) to request information about a patient from the Program upon initiating a new course of treatment that includes the prescribing of opioids anticipated, at the onset of treatment, to last more than seven consecutive days and exempts the prescriber from this requirement if the opioid is prescribed as part of treatment for a surgical or invasive procedure and such prescription is for no more than 14 consecutive days. Current law requires a registered prescriber to request information about a patient from the Program upon initiating a new course of treatment that includes the prescribing of opioids anticipated, at the onset of treatment, to last more than 14 consecutive days and exempts the prescriber from this requirement if the opioid is prescribed as part of a course of treatment for a surgical or invasive procedure and such prescription is not refillable. The bill extends the sunset for this requirement from July 1, 2019, to July 1, 2022.
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 1898 Controlled substances; limits on prescription containing opioids.Chief patron: Bell, John J. Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions HB 1910 Definition of mental health service provider.Chief patron: Yost Summary as introduced:
02/17/17 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) HB 1918 Acute psychiatric patient registry; DBHDS to develop and administer.Chief patron: Robinson Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 House: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice HB 2053 Direct primary care agreements; the Commonwealth's insurance laws do not apply.Chief patron: Landes Summary as passed House: Direct primary care agreements. Provides that direct agreement between a patient, the patient's legal representative, or the patient's employer and a health care provider for ongoing primary care services in exchange for the payment of a monthly periodic fee is not health insurance or a health maintenance organization, if patients are not required to pay monthly periodic fees prior to initiation of the direct agreement coverage period. The measure also provides that a health care provider who participates in a direct primary care practice may participate in a health insurance carrier network so long as the provider is willing and able to meet the terms and conditions of network membership set by the health insurance carrier.
02/20/17 House: Senate substitute rejected by House 17105281D-S1 (1-Y 94-N) HB 2095 Registration of peer recovery specialists and qualified mental health professionals.Chief patron: Price Summary as passed House: Registration of peer recovery specialists and qualified mental health professionals. Authorizes the registration of peer recovery specialists and qualified mental health professionals by the Board of Counseling. The bill defines "qualified mental health professional" as a person who by education and experience is professionally qualified and registered by the Board of Counseling to provide collaborative mental health services for adults or children. The bill requires that a qualified mental health professional provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. The bill defines "registered peer recovery specialist" as a person who by education and experience is professionally qualified and registered by the Board of Counseling to provide collaborative services to assist individuals in achieving sustained recovery from the effects of addiction or mental illness, or both. The bill requires that a registered peer recovery specialist provide such services as an employee or independent contractor of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, a provider licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, a practitioner licensed by or holding a permit issued from the Department of Health Professions, or a facility licensed by the Department of Health. The bill adds qualified mental health professionals and registered peer recovery specialists to the list of mental health providers that are required to take actions to protect third parties under certain circumstances and notify clients of their right to report to the Department of Health Professions any unethical, fraudulent, or unprofessional conduct. The bill directs the Board of Counseling and the Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill within 280 days of its enactment.
02/17/17 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) HB 2101 Health care providers; data collection.Chief patron: Byron Summary as passed House: Health care providers; data collection. Defines "charity care" and "bad debt" as used in the context of certificate of public need, establishes a uniform framework for determining the value of charity care provided, and requires health care providers to report data on (i) the total amount of charity care, as defined in § 32.1-102.1, that the facility provides to indigent persons; (ii) the number of patients to whom charity care is provided; (iii) the specific services delivered to patients that are reported as charity care; and (iv) the portion of the total amount of charity care provided that each service represents. The bill also requires health care providers to report data and information identifying any parent company of the health care provider and any subsidiary company of the health care provider and requires every hospital that receives a disproportionate share hospital adjustment to report the number of inpatient days attributable to patients eligible for both Medicare Part A and Supplemental Security Income, the number of inpatient days attributed to patients eligible for Medicaid but not Medicare Part A, and the total amount of the disproportionate share hospital adjustment received.
02/21/17 Senate: Reading of substitute waived HB 2126 Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program; established.Chief patron: Levine Summary as introduced:
01/11/17 House: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor HB 2156 Child welfare agencies; licensure for agencies operated by the Commonwealth.Chief patron: Rasoul Summary as passed House: Licensure of facilities operated by agencies of the Commonwealth. Provides for licensure of child welfare agencies operated by agencies of the Commonwealth.
02/16/17 House: Impact statement from DPB (HB2156ER) HB 2161 Opioids; workgroup to establish guidelines for prescribing.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed House: Secretary of Health and Human Resources; workgroup to establish educational guidelines for training health care providers in the safe prescribing and appropriate use of opioids. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a workgroup that shall include representatives of the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Health, and Health Professions as well as representatives of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and each of the Commonwealth's medical schools, dental schools, schools of pharmacy, physician assistant education programs, and nursing education programs to develop educational standards and curricula for training health care providers, including physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, physician assistants, and nurses, in the safe and appropriate use of opioids to treat pain while minimizing the risk of addiction and substance abuse. The workgroup shall report its progress and the outcomes of its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to SB 1179. EMERGENCY
02/16/17 House: Impact statement from DPB (HB2161ER) HB 2162 Substance-exposed infants; study of barriers to treatment in Commonwealth.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed House: Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene work group to study barriers to treatment of substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources (the Secretary) to convene a work group to study barriers to treatment of substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth. Such work group shall include representatives of the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and Health and Social Services and such other stakeholders as the Secretary may deem appropriate and shall (i) review current policies and practices governing the identification and treatment of substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth; (ii) identify barriers to treatment of substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth, including barriers related to identification and reporting of such infants, data collection, interagency coordination and collaboration, service planning, service availability, and funding; and (iii) develop legislative, budgetary, and policy recommendations for the elimination of barriers to treatment of substance-exposed infants in the Commonwealth. The Secretary shall report his findings to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017. The bill contains an emergency clause. EMERGENCY
02/16/17 House: Impact statement from DPB (HB2162ER) HB 2163 Buprenorphine without naloxone; prescription limitation.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed: Prescription of buprenorphine without naloxone; limitation. Provides that prescriptions for products containing buprenorphine without naloxone shall only be issued (i) for patients who are pregnant, (ii) when converting a patient from methadone to buprenorphine containing naloxone for a period not to exceed seven days, or (iii) as permitted by regulations of the Board of Medicine or the Board of Nursing. The bill contains an emergency clause. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2022. This bill is identical to SB 1178. EMERGENCY
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB2163ER) HB 2164 Drugs of concern; drug of concern.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed House: Drugs of concern; gabapentin. Adds any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any quantity of gabapentin, including any of its salts, to the list of drugs of concern. This bill contains an emergency clause. EMERGENCY
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB2164ER) HB 2165 Opiate prescriptions; electronic prescriptions.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed House: Opiate prescriptions; electronic prescriptions. Requires a prescription for any controlled substance containing an opiate to be issued as an electronic prescription and prohibits a pharmacist from dispensing a controlled substance that contains an opiate unless the prescription is issued as an electronic prescription, beginning July 1, 2020. The bill defines electronic prescription as a written prescription that is generated on an electronic application and provides that Schedule II through V prescriptions must be transmitted in accordance with federal regulations. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group to review actions necessary for the implementation of the bill's provisions and to evaluate hardships on prescribers and the inability of prescribers to comply with the deadline for electronic prescribing and to make recommendations for any extension or exemption processes relative to compliance or disruptions due to natural or manmade disasters or technology gaps, failures, or interruptions of service. The bill requires the work group to report on its progress to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2017, and to issue a final report to such Chairmen by November 1, 2018.
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 2167 Opioids and buprenorphine; Boards of Dentistry and Medicine to adopt regulations for prescribing.Chief patron: Pillion Summary as passed: Boards of Dentistry and Medicine; regulations for the prescribing of opioids and buprenorphine. Directs the Boards of Dentistry and Medicine to adopt regulations for the prescribing of opioids and products containing buprenorphine. The bill requires the Prescription Monitoring Program at the Department of Health Professions to provide an annual report to the Joint Commission on Health Care on the prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines in the Commonwealth. The bill contains an emergency clause. EMERGENCY
02/17/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB2167ER) HB 2225 Hospital data reporting; charity care policies and other activities, clarifies definition.Chief patron: Head Summary as passed House: Hospital data reporting; charity care and other activities. Defines "charity care" as care provided in accordance with a provider's policy of providing health care services free of charge or at a reduced rate because of the indigence or medical indigence of the patient. The bill requires all hospitals, doctors of medicine and osteopathy, and dentists licensed to practice as oral and maxillofacial surgeons to whom a certificate of public need has been issued to establish charity care policies and post information about such policies in a public place; requires health care providers to submit to the Commissioner of Health data on the amount of charity care provided; provides that the value of charity care shall be determined in accordance with fee schedules for Medicare services established by CMS; provides that in the case of a health care provider providing services at more than one facility, charity care shall be reported for each facility at which services are provided and shall not be aggregated by the provider; and requires not-for-profit hospitals to (i) conduct community needs assessments and develop strategies to meet the needs identified, (ii) establish financial assistance policies for patients, (iii) establish limits on charges for emergency and other medically necessary care for individuals eligible for assistance under the financial assistance policy, and (iv) ensure that the hospital does not engage in extraordinary actions to collect amounts owed before determining whether the person is eligible for financial assistance. The bill also requires not-for-profit hospitals to report annually to the Commissioner of Health on (a) the outcomes of the community needs assessment and the implementation of the strategy developed to meet the community health needs identified through such assessment; (b) the financial assistance policy and the utilization thereof; and (c) the steps the hospital has undertaken to determine whether a person to whom services have been delivered is eligible for assistance under the hospital's financial assistance policy and efforts of the hospital to ensure that any collections activities undertaken by the hospital to collect amounts owed by such persons are not extraordinary action. Such report shall also include (1) a statement disclosing any for-profit subsidiaries owned by the not-for-profit hospital and (2) a statement of the amount of compensation paid by the not-for-profit hospital to executive staff of the hospital.
02/03/17 House: VOTE: PASSAGE (61-Y 34-N) HB 2227 Certificate of public need; denial of certain certificates.Chief patron: Head Summary as introduced:
01/11/17 House: Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions HB 2258 Suicide; task force to raise public awareness, etc.Chief patron: Filler-Corn Summary as passed House: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; report on activities related to suicide prevention. Directs the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to report to the Governor and the General Assembly on its activities related to suicide prevention across the lifespan by December 1, 2017.
02/17/17 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) HB 2277 Licensure of doctors of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, and podiatry; requirements.Chief patron: Marshall, D.W. Summary as introduced: Board of Medicine; requirements for licensure. Removes provisions related to licensure of graduates of an institution not approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board of Medicine. Under the bill, only graduates of institutions approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board of Medicine are eligible for licensure.
02/15/17 House: Signed by Speaker HB 2300 Health, Department of; frequency of inspections.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as passed House: Department of Health; frequency of inspections. Provides that in cases in which inspections of emergency medical services agencies and vehicles, hospitals, hospices, home care organizations, restaurants, summer camps, campgrounds, and hotels are required, no licensee shall receive additional inspections until every other licensee in that category has been inspected unless the additional inspection is (i) necessary to follow up on a preoperational inspection or one or more violations, (ii) required by a uniformly applied risk-based schedule established by the Department of Health, (iii) necessary to investigate a complaint, or (iv) otherwise deemed necessary to protect the public health and safety.
02/17/17 Senate: Constitutional reading dispensed (39-Y 0-N) HB 2301 Nurses, licensed practical; administration of vaccinations.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB2301ER) HB 2317 Harm reduction programs; public health emergency, etc.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as passed House: Comprehensive harm reduction program; public health emergency. Authorizes the Commissioner of Health (the Commissioner) to establish and operate local or regional comprehensive harm reduction programs during a declared public health emergency that include the provision of sterile and disposal of used hypodermic needles and syringes. The objectives of the programs are to reduce the spread of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other blood-borne diseases in Virginia, to reduce the transmission of blood-borne diseases through needlestick injuries to law-enforcement and other emergency personnel, and to provide information to individuals who inject drugs regarding addiction recovery treatment services. The programs will be located in at-risk communities, in accordance with criteria established by the Department of Health. The bill requires the Commissioner to establish standards and protocols for the comprehensive harm reduction programs and requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Public Safety to approve such standards and protocols. The bill also provides that the Commissioner may authorize persons who are not otherwise authorized by law to dispense or distribute hypodermic needles and syringes to do so as part of a comprehensive harm reduction program during a declared public health emergency. The bill requires the Department of Health to submit, to the Governor and to the General Assembly, a progress report concerning any such program established under this bill by October 1, 2018, and a report evaluating the effectiveness of any such program by October 1, 2019. The bill has an expiration date of July 1, 2020.
02/15/17 House: Impact statement from VDH (HB2317ER) HB 2318 Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program; removes certain conditions.Chief patron: Stolle Summary as passed House: Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. Removes from the definition of "birth-related neurological injury" a provision that the definition shall apply retroactively to any child born on and after January 1, 1988, who suffers from an injury to the brain or spinal cord caused by the deprivation of oxygen or mechanical injury occurring in the course of labor, delivery or resuscitation in the immediate postdelivery period in a hospital. The measure includes an enactment clause stating that its provisions are declarative of existing law.
02/20/17 House: Senate amendment rejected by House (0-Y 95-N) HB 2337 Certificates of public need; creates a two-phase process.Chief patron: O'Bannon Summary as introduced:
01/31/17 House: Committee substitute printed 17104734D-H1 HB 2404 PANDAS and PANS; created, report.Chief patron: Filler-Corn Summary as passed House: Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). Creates the Advisory Council on Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections and Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome to advise the Commissioner of Health on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education relating to these identified disorders and syndrome referred to by the National Institute of Mental Health as PANDAS and PANS. The bill provides for a three-year sunset for the Advisory Council.
02/20/17 Senate: Reconsideration of Senate passage agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N) HB 2458 Certificate of public need; reports.Chief patron: Stolle Summary as introduced: The bill also (a) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to review charity care services delivered throughout the Commonwealth and recommend changes to the definition of charity and to the types of charity care requirements imposed on various health care services and report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017; (b) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to implement a system to ensure that data needed to evaluate whether an application for a certificate is consistent with the State Health Services Plan is timely and reliable, to make all public records pertaining to applications for certificates and the review process available in real-time in a searchable, digital format online, to make an inventory of capacity authorized by certificates of public need, both operational and not yet operational, available in a digital format online, and to make charity care conditions, charity care compliance reporting status, and details on the exact amount of charity care provided or contributed and to whom it was provided or contributed available in a digital format online; (c) directs the Commissioner of Health to develop an analytical framework to guide the work of the State Health Services Plan Advisory Council; and (d) directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to develop specific recommendations for eliminating differences in the certificate of public need review process from one region to another and report on the recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions and Senate Education and Health Committees by December 1, 2017.
01/31/17 House: Committee substitute printed 17104600D-H1 HJ 578 Study; Jt Commission on Health Care; study of the long-term effects of marijuana use.Chief patron: Marshall, R.G. Summary as introduced:
01/03/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17101818D HJ 597 Study; Joint Commissionon Health Care; Study of heroin use in the Commonwealth; report.Chief patron: Marshall, R.G. Summary as introduced:
01/05/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102211D HJ 637 Mental Health Services in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century; Joint Subcommittee to study.Chief patron: Bell, Robert B. Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17103151D HJ 675 Joint Commission on Health Care to study creation of registry of cases of abuse or neglect.Chief patron: Landes Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100637D HJ 680 Joint subcommittee to study issues related to family caregiving and long-term care supports, etc.Chief patron: Filler-Corn Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17103292D HJ 709 Study; Secretary of Technology; interfacing of electronic medical records and information; report.Chief patron: Poindexter Summary as introduced:
01/11/17 House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102616D HJ 719 Study; Department of Labor and Industry; violence against health care professionals.Chief patron: Boysko Summary as introduced:
01/11/17 House: Presented and ordered printed 17103789D HJ 720 Study; Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; placement of group homes.Chief patron: Pogge Summary as introduced:
01/11/17 House: Presented and ordered printed 17103763D HJ 779 Study; Joint Commission on Health Care; Impact of requiring community services boards.Chief patron: Holcomb Summary as introduced:
01/17/17 House: Unanimous consent to introduce SB 394 Health care; plan to increase transparency in delivery, etc.Chief patron: Alexander Summary as introduced:
01/11/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health SB 561 Certificates of public need.Chief patron: Newman Summary as introduced: Certificates of public need. Creates a three-phase process to sunset certificate of public need requirements for many categories of medical care facilities and projects, with the requirement for a certificate of public need (i) for the establishment of a new imaging service or addition of new equipment for imaging services eliminated beginning July 1, 2016, for ambulatory and outpatient surgery centers eliminated beginning July 1, 2017, and (iii) for hospitals and all other categories of projects other than nursing homes and facilities and equipment for open heart surgery and organ or tissue transplant services eliminated beginning July 1, 2018. The bill also creates a new permitting process for categories of facilities and projects exempted from the certificate of public need process that requires the Commissioner of Health to issue a permit but allows the Commissioner to condition a permit (a) on the agreement of the applicant to provide a specified level of care at a reduced rate to indigents, accept patients requiring specialized care, or facilitate the development and operation of primary medical care services in designated medically underserved areas of the applicant's service area or (b) on compliance of the applicant with quality of care standards. The bill allows the Commissioner to refuse to issue a permit if he determines that the project for which the permit is sought would be detrimental to the provision of health services in underserved areas of the Commonwealth.
02/11/16 Senate: Incorporates SB585 SB 620 Nurse practitioners; eliminates requirement that they practice as part of patient care team.Chief patron: Stanley Summary as introduced:
01/15/16 Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health SB 627 Direct primary care agreements.Chief patron: Stanley Summary as introduced:
01/22/16 Senate: Impact statement from SCC (SB627) SB 800 Direct primary care agreements; the Commonwealth's insurance laws do not apply.Chief patron: Stanley Summary as passed Senate: Direct primary care agreements. Provides that direct agreement between a patient, the patient's legal representative, or the patient's employer and a health care provider for ongoing primary care services in exchange for the payment of a monthly periodic fee is not health insurance or a health maintenance organization, if patients are not required to pay monthly periodic fees prior to initiation of the direct agreement coverage period. The measure also provides that a health care provider who participates in a direct primary care practice may participate in a health insurance carrier network so long as the provider is willing and able to meet the terms and conditions of network membership set by the health insurance carrier. The measure establishes requirements for disclosures regarding direct primary care agreements.
02/21/17 House: Committee substitute agreed to 17105478D-H1 SB 848 Naloxone; dispensing for use in opioid overdose reversal, etc.Chief patron: Wexton Summary as passed Senate: Dispensing of naloxone. Allows a person who is authorized by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to train individuals on the administration of naloxone for use in opioid overdose reversal and who is acting on behalf of an organization that provides services to individuals at risk of experiencing opioid overdose or training in the administration of naloxone for overdose reversal and that has obtained a controlled substances registration from the Board of Pharmacy pursuant to § 54.1-3423 to dispense naloxone to a person who has completed a training program on the administration of naloxone for opioid overdose reversal, provided that such dispensing is (i) pursuant to a standing order issued by a prescriber, (ii) in accordance with protocols developed by the Board of Pharmacy in consultation with the Board of Medicine and the Department of Health, and (iii) without charge or compensation. The bill also provides that dispensing may occur at a site other than that of the controlled substance registration, provided that the entity possessing the controlled substance registration maintains records in accordance with regulations of the Board of Pharmacy. The bill further provides that a person who dispenses naloxone shall not be liable for civil damages of ordinary negligence for acts or omissions resulting from the rendering of such treatment if he acts in good faith and that a person to whom naloxone has been dispensed pursuant to the provisions of the bill may possess naloxone and may administer naloxone to a person who is believed to be experiencing or about to experience a life-threatening opioid overdose. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to HB 1453. EMERGENCY
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 877 Regulations governing hospitals; facilities performing abortions.Chief patron: Favola Summary as introduced:
12/15/16 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102224D SB 894 Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Srvcs; reports of critical incidents or death.Chief patron: Favola Summary as passed: Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; reports of critical incidents or deaths. Requires the Commissioner of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to provide a written report setting forth the known facts of serious injuries or deaths of individuals receiving services in programs operated or licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to the Director of the Commonwealth's designated protection and advocacy system within 15 working days of the serious injury or death. Currently, reports are required only for critical incidents or deaths occurring at facilities operated by the Department.
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 974 Palliative care information and resources.Chief patron: Lucas Summary as passed: Palliative care information and resources. Requires the Department of Health to make information about and resources on palliative care available to the public, health care providers, and health care facilities on its website.
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 1005 Community services boards and behavioral health authorities; services to be provided, report.Chief patron: Hanger, Deeds Summary as passed Senate: Community services boards and behavioral health authorities; services to be provided. Provides that the core of services provided by community services boards and behavioral health authorities shall include, effective July 1, 2018, (i) same-day access to mental health screening services and (ii) subject to available funds, outpatient primary care screening and monitoring services for physical health indicators and health risks and follow-up services for individuals identified as being in need of assistance with overcoming barriers to accessing primary health services. The bill provides that the core of services provided by community services boards and behavioral health authorities shall additionally include, effective July 1, 2021 and subject to available funds: crisis services for individuals with mental health or substance use disorders; outpatient mental health and substance abuse services; psychiatric rehabilitation services; peer support and family support services; mental health services for certain members of the armed forces and veterans; care coordination services; and case management services, including targeted mental health case management services. The bill also requires the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to report annually regarding progress in the implementation of this act.
02/17/17 House: Passed House with substitute BLOCK VOTE (99-Y 0-N) SB 1027 Cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil; permitting of pharmaceutical processors to manufacture and provide.Chief patron: Marsden Summary as passed: Cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil; permitting of pharmaceutical processors to manufacture and provide. Authorizes a pharmaceutical processor, after obtaining a permit from the Board of Pharmacy (the Board) and under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, to manufacture and provide cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil to be used for the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The bill sets limits on the number of permits that the Board may issue and requires that the Board adopt regulations establishing health, safety, and security requirements for permitted processors. The bill provides that only a licensed practitioner of medicine or osteopathy who is a neurologist or who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy may issue a written certification to a patient for the use of cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil. The bill also requires that a practitioner who issues a written certification for cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil, the patient issued such certification, and, if the patient is a minor or incapacitated, the patient's parent or legal guardian register with the Board. The bill requires further that a pharmaceutical processor shall not provide cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil to a patient or a patient's parent or legal guardian without first verifying that the patient, the patient's parent or legal guardian if the patient is a minor or incapacitated, and the practitioner who issued the written certification have registered with the Board. Finally, the bill provides an affirmative defense for agents and employees of pharmaceutical processors in a prosecution for the manufacture, possession, or distribution of marijuana. This bill contains an emergency clause. EMERGENCY
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 1031 Naloxone or other opioid antagonist; possession and administration.Chief patron: Marsden Summary as passed Senate: Possession and administration of naloxone. Adds employees of the Department of Forensic Science, employees of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and employees of the Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services to the list of individuals who may possess and administer naloxone or other opioid antagonist, provided that they have completed a training program. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to HB 1642. EMERGENCY
02/07/17 Senate: Signed by President SB 1043 Joint Commission on Health Care; sunset.Chief patron: Dance Summary as introduced:
02/16/17 House: Reported from Rules (15-Y 0-N) SB 1046 Board of Medicine; requirements for licensure.Chief patron: Stanley Summary as introduced: Board of Medicine; requirements for licensure. Removes provisions related to licensure of graduates of an institution not approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board of Medicine. Under the bill, only graduates of institutions approved by an accrediting agency recognized by the Board of Medicine are eligible for licensure.
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 1050 Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth; mission.Chief patron: Edwards Summary as introduced: Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth; mission. Expands the mission of the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth to include the reduction and prevention of substance use by youth in the Commonwealth. This bill is identical to HB 1751.
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 1062 Definition of mental health service provider.Chief patron: Deeds Summary as introduced:
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 1064 Mental health awareness training; law enforcement officers, firefighters, etc.Chief patron: Deeds Summary as passed Senate: Mental health awareness training; law-enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. Requires the Department of Criminal Justice Services to develop compulsory training standards for law-enforcement officers regarding mental health awareness. The bill also emergency medical services personnel, and firefighters other than volunteer firefighters to participate in a mental health awareness program created or certified by the Mental Health Work Group, established in the Department of Fire Programs.
02/03/17 House: Read first time SB 1086 In utero exposure to a controlled substance; departments of social services to collect information.Chief patron: Wexton Summary as passed Senate: In utero exposure to a controlled substance. Requires local departments of social services to collect information during a family assessment to determine whether the mother of a child who was exposed in utero to a controlled substance sought substance abuse counseling or treatment prior to the child's birth. The bill requires mandated reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect to make a report if a finding is made by a health care provider (i) within six weeks following a child's birth that the child was born affected by substance abuse or experiencing withdrawal symptoms resulting from in utero drug exposure; (ii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has an illness, disease, or condition that is attributable to maternal abuse of a controlled substance during pregnancy; or (iii) within four years following a child's birth that the child has a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder attributable to in utero exposure to alcohol. The bill provides that if a local department of social services receives a report or complaint of suspected child abuse or neglect on the basis of one or more of the aforementioned factors, the local department shall (a) conduct a family assessment, unless an investigation is required by law or is necessary to protect the safety of the child, and (b) develop a plan of safe care in accordance with federal law. The bill directs the State Board of Social Services to promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of the bill. This bill is identical to HB 1786.
02/17/17 Senate: Impact statement from DPB (SB1086ER) SB 1141 Certificate of public need; psychiatric beds and services.Chief patron: Sturtevant Summary as introduced:
01/09/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17103667D SB 1178 Buprenorphine without naloxone; prescription limitation.Chief patron: Chafin Summary as passed Senate: Prescription of buprenorphine without naloxone; limitation. Provides that buprenorphine mono or products containing buprenorphine without naloxone shall be issued only for a patient who is pregnant. The provisions of the bill expire on July 1, 2022. EMERGENCY
02/20/17 Senate: House substitute agreed to by Senate (40-Y 0-N) SB 1179 Opioids; workgroup to establish guidelines for prescribing.Chief patron: Chafin Summary as passed Senate: Secretary of Health and Human Resources; workgroup to establish educational guidelines for training health care providers in the safe prescribing and appropriate use of opioids. Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a workgroup that shall include representatives of the Departments of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Health, and Health Professions as well as representatives of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and each of the Commonwealth's medical schools, dental schools, schools of pharmacy, physician assistant education programs, and nursing education programs to develop educational standards and curricula for training health care providers, including physicians, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, physician assistants, and nurses, in the safe and appropriate use of opioids to treat pain while minimizing the risk of addiction and substance abuse. The workgroup shall report its progress and the outcomes of its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017. The bill contains an emergency clause. This bill is identical to HB 2161. EMERGENCY
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 1180 Opioids and buprenorphine; Boards of Dentistry and Medicine to adopt regulations for prescribing.Chief patron: Chafin Summary as passed Senate: Boards of Dentistry and Medicine; regulations for the prescribing of opioids and buprenorphine. Directs the Boards of Dentistry and Medicine to adopt regulations for the prescribing of opioids and products containing buprenorphine. The bill requires the Prescription Monitoring Program at the Department of Health Professions to annually provide a report to the Joint Commission on Health Care on the prescribing of opioids and benzodiazepines in the Commonwealth that includes data on reporting of unusual patterns of prescribing or dispensing of a covered substance by an individual prescriber or dispenser or on potential misuse of a covered substance by a recipient. The bill contains an emergency clause.
EMERGENCY
02/20/17 Senate: Conferees appointed by Senate SB 1191 Assisted living facilities; cap on civil penalties.Chief patron: Sturtevant Summary as introduced: Assisted living facilities; cap on civil penalties. Increases the aggregate amount of civil penalties that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services may assess against an assisted living facility for noncompliance with the terms of its license from $10,000 per 24-month period to $10,000 per 12-month period.
02/14/17 House: Signed by Speaker SB 1230 Opiate prescriptions; electronic prescriptions.Chief patron: Dunnavant Summary as passed: Opiate prescriptions; electronic prescriptions. Requires a prescription for any controlled substance containing an opiate to be issued as an electronic prescription and prohibits a pharmacist from dispensing a controlled substance that contains an opiate unless the prescription is issued as an electronic prescription, beginning July 1, 2020. The bill defines electronic prescription as a written prescription that is generated on an electronic application in accordance with federal regulations and is transmitted to a pharmacy as an electronic data file. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group of interested stakeholders to review actions necessary for the implementation of the bill's provisions and to evaluate hardships on prescribers and the inability of prescribers to comply with the deadline for electronic prescribing, and to make recommendations for any extension or exemption processes relative to compliance or disruptions due to natural or manmade disasters or technology gaps, failures or interruptions of services. The work group shall report on the work group's progress to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Education and Health by November 1, 2017 and a final report to such Chairmen by November 1, 2018.
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 1244 Glucagon; administration by emergency medical services providers.Chief patron: Dunnavant Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102786D SB 1281 Substance abuse treatment upon conviction of a crime; recovery community organization.Chief patron: McDougle Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17103798D SB 1321 Ophthalmic prescriptions; definitions, who may provide prescriptions, requirements.Chief patron: Carrico Summary as passed Senate: Requirements for ophthalmic prescriptions. Requires, for ophthalmic prescriptions written on or after July 1, 2017, that an ophthalmologist or optometrist establish a bona fide provider-patient relationship with a patient prior to prescribing spectacles, eyeglasses, lenses, or contact lenses, and sets out requirements for establishing such relationship, which includes options for examination of the patient either in person or through face-to-face interactive, two-way, real-time communication or store-and-forward technologies. This bill is identical to HB 1497.
02/15/17 Senate: Impact statement from VDH (SB1321ER) SB 1323 Neonatal abstinence syndrome; Board of Health to adopt regulations to include as reportable disease.Chief patron: Carrico Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 Senate: Impact statement from VDH (SB1323ER) SB 1327 Doctors; licensure of medical science.Chief patron: Carrico Summary as introduced:
01/10/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102807D SB 1375 Certificate of Public Need program; established, changes to MCFCPN program, report.Chief patron: Cosgrove Summary as introduced: The bill also (a) directs the Department to develop recommendations to reduce the duration of the average review cycle for applications for certificates of public need to not more than 120 days and to report on its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 1, 2017; (b) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to review charity care services delivered throughout the Commonwealth and recommend changes to the definition of charity and to the types of charity care requirements imposed on various health care services and report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017; (c) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a group of stakeholders to study and make recommendations related to the appropriate authority of the State Health Commissioner to impose additional conditions on certificates; (d) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to implement a system to ensure that data needed to evaluate whether an application for a certificate is consistent with the State Health Services Plan is timely and reliable, to make all public records pertaining to applications for certificates and the review process available in real time in a searchable, digital format online, to make an inventory of capacity authorized by certificates of public need, both operational and not yet operational, available in a digital format online, and to make charity care conditions, charity care compliance reporting status, and details on the exact amount of charity care provided or contributed and to whom it was provided or contributed available in a digital format online; (e) directs the Commissioner of Health to develop an analytical framework to guide the work of the State Health Services Plan Advisory Council; and (f) directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to develop specific recommendations for eliminating differences in the certificate of public need review process from one region to another and report on the recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and Senate Committee on Education and Health by December 1, 2017.
01/11/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17100641D SB 1403 Cannabidiol; Board of Pharmacy to deschedule or reschedule upon certain publication.Chief patron: Dunnavant Summary as passed: Board of Pharmacy to deschedule or reschedule controlled substances. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy (Board) to designate, deschedule, or reschedule as a controlled substance any substance 30 days after publication in the Federal Register of a final or interim final order or rule designating such substance as a controlled substance or descheduling or rescheduling such substance. Under current law, the Board may act 120 days from such publication date. The bill also provides that a person is immune from prosecution for prescribing, administering, dispensing, or possessing pursuant to a valid prescription a substance approved as a prescription drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on or after July 1, 2017, in accordance with a final or interim final order or rule despite the fact that such substance has not been scheduled by the Board. The immunity provided by the bill remains in effect until the earlier of (i) nine months from the date of the publication of the interim final order or rule or, if published within nine months of the interim final order or rule, the final order or rule or (ii) the substance is scheduled by the Board or by law. This bill is identical to HB 1799.
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 1430 Higher educational institutions; student-death-related crisis.Chief patron: Reeves Summary as passed Senate: Higher education; student mental health; services after a student suicide. Requires that policies developed and implemented by public institutions of higher education regarding suicide prevention ensure that after a student suicide affected students have access to appropriate medical and behavioral health services, including postvention services. The bill defines postvention services as services designed to facilitate the grieving or adjustment process, stabilize the environment, reduce the risk of negative behaviors, and prevent suicide contagion.
02/22/17 Senate: Impact statement from DPB (SB1430H1) SB 1434 Assisted living facilities and adult day care centers; background checks.Chief patron: Wexton Summary as introduced:
02/16/17 Senate: Impact statement from DPB (SB1434ER) SB 1437 Aging, Commonwealth Council on; duties.Chief patron: Favola Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 Senate: Impact statement from DPB (SB1437ER) SB 1504 Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority; career pathway.Chief patron: Favola Summary as introduced:
02/15/17 House: Read second time SB 1511 Advance directives; admission of person for mental health treatment, capacity determinations.Chief patron: Deeds Summary as passed: Advance directives; mental health treatment; capacity determinations. Provides that in cases in which a person has executed an advance directive granting an agent the authority to consent to the person's admission to a facility for mental health treatment and the advance directive so authorizes, the person's agent may exercise such authority after a determination that the person is incapable of making an informed decision regarding such admission has been made by (i) the attending physician, (ii) a psychiatrist or licensed clinical psychologist, (iii) a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner, (iv) a licensed clinical social worker, or (v) a designee of the local community services board as defined in § 37.2-809. The bill also provides that a person's agent may make a health care decision over the protest of the person if, in addition to other factors, at the time the advance directive was made, a licensed physician, licensed clinical psychologist, licensed physician assistant, licensed nurse practitioner, licensed professional counselor, or licensed clinical social worker who is familiar with the person attested in writing that the person was capable of making an informed decision and understood the consequences of the provision. This bill is identical to HB 1548.
02/20/17 Senate: Enrolled SB 1551 Central Virginia Training Center; closure prohibited without General Assembly authorization.Chief patron: Newman Summary as passed Senate: Closure of the Central Virginia Training Center prohibited without authorization. Provides that the Central Virginia Training Center shall not be closed without authorization of the General Assembly.
02/06/17 House: Read first time SB 1557 Community health workers; VDH to establish work group to examine risks, etc.Chief patron: Barker Summary as introduced:
01/20/17 Senate: Presented and ordered printed 17104205D SB 1561 Emergency Department Care Coordination Program; established.Chief patron: Dunnavant Summary as passed Senate: Emergency Department Care Coordination Program established. Establishes the Emergency Department Care Coordination Program in the Department of Health to provide a single, statewide technology solution that connects all hospital emergency departments in the Commonwealth to facilitate real-time communication and collaboration between physicians, other health care providers, and other clinical and care management personnel for patients receiving services in hospital emergency departments, for the purpose of improving the quality of patient care services. The bill does not become effective unless and until the Commonwealth receives federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act funds to implement its provisions.
02/17/17 Senate: House substitute agreed to by Senate (37-Y 0-N) SB 1566 Certificate of Public Need program; established, report.Chief patron: Dunnavant Summary as introduced: The bill also (a) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to review charity care services delivered throughout the Commonwealth and recommend changes to the definition of charity and to the types of charity care requirements imposed on various health care services and report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 1, 2017; (b) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to implement a system to ensure that data needed to evaluate whether an application for a certificate is consistent with the State Health Services Plan is timely and reliable, to make all public records pertaining to applications for certificates and the review process available in real-time in a searchable, digital format online, to make an inventory of capacity authorized by certificates of public need, both operational and not yet operational, available in a digital format online, and to make charity care conditions, charity care compliance reporting status, and details on the exact amount of charity care provided or contributed and to whom it was provided or contributed available in a digital format online; (c) directs the Commissioner of Health to develop an analytical framework to guide the work of the State Health Services Plan Advisory Council; and (d) directs the Joint Commission on Health Care to develop specific recommendations for eliminating differences in the certificate of public need review process from one region to another and report on the recommendations to the Chairmen of the House Health, Welfare and Institutions and Senate Education and Health Committees by December 1, 2017.
01/20/17 Senate: Presented and ordered printed 17103977D SJ 266 Study; Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission; staffing ratio requirements assisted living.Chief patron: Dance Summary as introduced:
01/05/17 Senate: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/11/17 17102585D * Sorry, output limit exceeded *Try using "from", "thru" bill numbers to manage your output. Counts: HB: 60 HJ: 9 SB: 40 SJ: 1 |