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HB 548

Uniform Health Care Decisions Act; civil penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Hope

Virginia bill HB 548 establishes civil penalties for violations of the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, affecting surrogate decision-making and advance directive enforcement in medical settings.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB548)
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Bill Summary · HB 548

Legislative bill overview

HB 548 proposes amendments to Virginia's Uniform Health Care Decisions Act, likely establishing or modifying civil penalty provisions for violations. The bill was prefiled in January 2026 and is currently under review by the Committee for Courts of Justice, with fiscal impact statements requested from state planning and budget agencies.

Why is this important

Health care decisions legislation directly affects how medical decisions are made for incapacitated individuals, advance directives are enforced, and surrogate decision-making authority is established. Civil penalties create legal enforcement mechanisms that can incentivize compliance with health care decision protocols and provide remedies for families or patients harmed by violations.

Potential points of contention

  • Penalty severity and proportionality: Questions about whether proposed civil penalties are appropriate relative to violations and whether they might discourage healthcare providers from taking reasonable actions
  • Definition of violations: Unclear what specific conduct triggers penalties—ambiguity could lead to unintended consequences or inconsistent enforcement across healthcare settings
  • Impact on healthcare access and costs: Civil penalties may increase litigation and liability insurance costs for providers, potentially affecting healthcare delivery and patient access to services

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

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