HB 424 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Health insurance; definitions, prohibited restrictions on in-network referrals.

Summary
Health insurance; prohibited restrictions on in-network referrals. Prohibits a health insurance carrier from prohibiting an in-network provider, as defined in the bill, from referring any enrollee or specimen to any in-network clinical laboratory or in-network pathology service provider under the terms of such insurance unless such referral would constitute a violation of certain laws. This bill is identical to SB 745.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 12, 2026 Signed Apr 6, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Chaptered · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was formally enacted into law as Chapter 138 of the 2026 Virginia Acts of Assembly. It amends existing health insurance regulations and adds a new section to prohibit certain restrictions on in-network referrals, ensuring patients can access care within their insurance network without unnecessary barriers.
Scope change
The bill's scope is now fixed as enacted law, applying statewide to health insurance plans and providers subject to the referenced Code sections.
TECHNICAL

Added the official chapter number (Chapter 138) and specific approval date (April 6, 2026) to the text, formalizing the bill as law.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new section (38.2-3407.23) that imposes requirements on health insurance plans regarding prohibited restrictions on in-network referrals.

Modified the existing section 38.2-4319 to incorporate the new provisions related to referral restrictions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
12
Committee
7
Apr 6, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 138 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB424ER)
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Commerce and Labor and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (14-Y 0-N)
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (98-Y 0-N 0-A)
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (97-Y 1-N 0-A)
lower
Jan 29, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)
lower
Jan 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Jan 19, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
lower
1 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors