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SB 247

Nursing homes; application to Commissioner of Health for change of operator license, civil penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Barbara Favola

Virginia SB 247 requires nursing home operator license changes to be approved by the Health Commissioner and establishes civil penalties for non-compliance with this regulatory requirement.

Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 247

Legislative bill overview

SB 247 establishes procedures for nursing homes to apply to the Virginia Commissioner of Health for a change of operator license and creates civil penalty mechanisms for violations. The bill streamlines the regulatory process for ownership transitions while providing enforcement tools to ensure compliance with state requirements.

Why is this important

Nursing homes are heavily regulated facilities caring for vulnerable elderly and disabled populations. Clear procedures for operator changes and enforceable penalties help maintain quality standards and protect residents during ownership transitions, which are periods of operational risk. This addresses gaps in how Virginia manages facility ownership changes and compliance.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty level uncertainty - The bill's civil penalty amounts and calculation methods may be viewed as too lenient by consumer advocates or too burdensome by facility operators depending on the final specified amounts
  • Regulatory burden vs. protection - Facilities may argue additional application requirements create administrative costs, while advocates may contend stronger enforcement is necessary given nursing home quality concerns
  • Commissioner discretion - The extent of the Commissioner's authority to approve, deny, or condition operator changes could create disagreement about state regulatory power versus business operational flexibility

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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