SB 278 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Federal 340-B Drug Pricing Program; impacts within the Commonwealth.

Summary

Drug manufacturers; 340B Drug Pricing Program; work group; report. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a work group to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the impacts of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program within the Commonwealth, with emphasis on governance, transparency, and the availability of pharmacy services in rural and underserved areas. The bill requires the work group to submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the Chairs of the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Education and Health and the House Committees on Appropriations and Health and Human Services by November 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Signed into Law

Apr 2026

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Education and Health Substitute → Finance and Appropriations Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transferred from the Education and Health Committee to the Finance and Appropriations Committee, changing its focus from enforcing immediate restrictions on drug manufacturers to studying the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The original version required manufacturers to certify they do not limit contract pharmacies and imposed a $5,000 fine for violations. The new version removes these enforcement measures and instead directs the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a stakeholder work group to evaluate the program's impact on rural and underserved communities, with a report due by November 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a regulatory mandate with civil penalties to a study and evaluation initiative.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed the requirement for drug manufacturers to annually certify compliance regarding contract pharmacy limits.

Removed the $5,000 civil penalty for manufacturers who refuse to fulfill purchase orders for 340B-covered drugs.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate for the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to convene a stakeholder work group to evaluate the 340B Drug Pricing Program.

TIMELINE

Set a deadline of November 1, 2026, for the work group to submit a report to legislative committees.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 3, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 12, 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

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 13, 2026

Signed into law

Approved by Governor-Chapter 887 (effective 7/1/2026)

executive

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Signed by Speaker

lower

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Signed by President

upper

Mar 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB278ER)

upper

Mar 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

House amendments agreed to by Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed House with amendments (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Introduced

Engrossed by House as amended

lower

Mar 3, 2026

Lower · Passed

committee amendments agreed to

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Health and Human Services with amendment(s) (21-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

House subcommittee offered

lower

Feb 23, 2026

Committee

Assigned sub: Health

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Education and Health with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 0-N 6-A)

upper

Jan 29, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate subcommittee offered

upper

Jan 20, 2026

Committee

Assigned Education sub: Health

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Education and Health

upper

1 primary · 5 co-sponsors