A view of the Virginia State Capitol Buiding.

This week is the last scheduled week of the 46-day regular session. Legislators are wrapping up the last of their work on bills and completing conference reports.

• As of this writing, the budget conferees have made no public announcement about the status of the budget negotiations.
• The budget conference report must be available for review for 48 hours before legislators are asked to vote on it, so the timeline for the General Assembly to finish its work by the scheduled adjournment date, Saturday, February 25, is uncertain.
• VHCA-VCAL has contacted the budget conferees to ask for their support for funding for the Value-Based Purchasing Program, Medicaid reforms, and an increase in the Auxiliary Grant rate.

Key Bill Updates

Nursing facility minimum staffing standards: SB 1339, the Senate’s version of the nursing facility staffing bill was approved by the House of Delegates 99-0. It is identical to HB 1446. Both bills await action by the governor.

Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Screening: The LTSS Screening fix bills, HB 1681 and SB 1457, have passed unanimously and await action by the governor.

Minimum liability insurance: SB 1221 is being deliberated by a conference committee after the House and Senate passed different versions of the bill. The legislation would require the Board of Social Services to adopt regulations requiring each ALF to maintain a minimum amount of liability insurance, as determined by the Board, and provide notice of such insurance, upon request, to any resident or prospective resident.

• The two chambers disagree on a provision related to charitable immunity.

Look for a full recap of the General Assembly session in the upcoming weeks.