SB 586 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Health carriers; use of artificial intelligence, disclosures.

Summary

Health carriers; use of artificial intelligence; disclosures. Requires health carriers to disclose to the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance how artificial intelligence is used to manage claims coverage and to submit all information enabling decisions made by artificial intelligence to the Bureau upon request. The bill also requires health carriers to provide notice to enrollees and health care providers when artificial intelligence has been used to issue an adverse determination and to provide a clear and timely process for appeal of such determination.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Feb 23, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Commerce and Labor Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduced version to a Commerce and Labor Committee substitute version. The primary substantive change is a significant reduction in scope, removing new sections that addressed artificial intelligence use in claims processing, expedited appeal rights for patients, and civil penalties for violations. The substitute version also modifies the definition of artificial intelligence to be narrower than the original text.

Scope change

The bill's scope was substantially narrowed. The original version added a new section (38.2-3570.1) establishing AI disclosure requirements, patient right to expedited review when AI is used, and civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation. The substitute version removes all of these provisions entirely.

ENFORCEMENT

Deleted new section 38.2-3570.1 which established civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation for carriers using AI to deny claims without human review.

Removed provisions requiring carriers to publicly disclose AI use in claims management and maintain documentation of AI decisions for five years.

ELIGIBILITY

Deleted the right to expedited external review for patients who receive adverse determinations based on AI decisions.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'artificial intelligence' from a broad machine-based system definition to a narrower definition focused on computer science functions like reasoning, learning, and self-improvement.

REQUIREMENT

Eliminated requirements for carriers to establish AI oversight mechanisms and ensure AI use doesn't violate discrimination laws.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 4, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed

Total votes 39

Feb 4, 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

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation

lower

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (23-Y 16-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read third time and passed Senate (22-Y 18-N 0-A)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (9-Y 6-N)

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Senate committee offered

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Committee

Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors