SB 794 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia Health Care Protection Act; established, prohibition on extradition for certain crimes.

Summary
Virginia Health Care Protection Act established; prohibition on extradition for certain crimes; penalties. Establishes the Virginia Health Care Protection Act. The bill provides that no law-enforcement officer acting in the Commonwealth or employed by the Commonwealth or any of its localities or political subdivisions may investigate, arrest, or detain any person, seek the issuance of a warrant, or otherwise assist in or provide support for any investigation involving protected health care activity, as defined in the bill, not prohibited under the laws of the Commonwealth. The bill creates a private right of action for any person who is aggrieved by such unlawful investigation to obtain an injunction or other equitable relief against such law-enforcement officer.The bill creates a private right of action for any person who sustains any injury, damages, or other harm resulting from another person who, under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth, engages or attempts to engage in abusive litigation, as defined in the bill.The bill also provides that no demand for extradition of a person charged with a criminal violation of law of another state shall be recognized by the Governor if such alleged violation involves protected health care activity within the Commonwealth unless the alleged criminal violation would also constitute a criminal offense under the laws of the Commonwealth.The bill provides that any subpoena under the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act or any summons for a witness for another state in a criminal case shall include an attestation, made under penalty of perjury, stating whether the subpoena or summons seeks documents, information, or testimony related to protected health care activity.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Signed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Courts of Justice Substitute Enrolled · 6 edits · Mar 13, 2026
MODERATE
This bill enrolls the Virginia Health Care Protection Act, which prevents the extradition of individuals accused of crimes related to lawful medical care provided in Virginia. It also restricts law enforcement from investigating or arresting people for such activities and allows victims of 'abusive litigation' to sue for damages.
Scope change
The bill expands protections to cover extradition requests, arrests, and law enforcement investigations involving crimes based on protected health care activities, whereas previous versions focused primarily on discovery subpoenas.
ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section prohibiting the Governor from extraditing individuals charged with crimes related to protected health care activity unless the act is also a crime in Virginia.

Added a requirement that extradition demands must include an attestation proving the accused was physically present in the demanding state at the time of the alleged offense.

Added a prohibition on law enforcement officers within Virginia from investigating, arresting, or detaining individuals for activities that constitute protected health care.

TIMELINE

Modified the investigation timeline for extradition cases involving health care activities to require a minimum of 365 calendar days before the Governor acts.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'abusive litigation' to include lawsuits intended to punish lawful medical care provided in Virginia.

FISCAL

Modified the fiscal impact statement to indicate that the necessary appropriation amount cannot be determined.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 12, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 9, 2026

How they voted

390
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
35
Key actions
13
Committee
10
Apr 13, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor-Chapter 905 (effective 7/1/2026)
executive
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 13, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB794ER)
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (60-Y 35-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Committee
Assigned HAPP sub: Transportation & Public Safety
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice and referred to Appropriations (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee recommends reporting and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 3-N)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCJ sub: Civil
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
Feb 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-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 (10-Y 4-N)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 4-N)
upper
Feb 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate committee offered
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Presented and ordered printed 26100646D
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors