2026 General Assembly "Crossover" Report:

Some Great Progress to Share!

The 2026 General Assembly session reached the midway or "crossover" deadline yesterday, February 17th. This was the final day for bills to be approved by their chamber of origin—either the House of Delegates or the Senate—so they could advance to the other chamber for consideration. Here is a quick update on where VBCF's Legislative Priorities stand:

• Paid Family and Medical Leave - 🎉MOVING FORWARD!

Yesterday, legislation to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave program passed on the floor of the House of Delegates and Senate. Each bill, HB1207 (Del. Sewell), and SB2 (Sen. Boysko), will now be considered by the opposite chamber, and at this time, we do not foresee any major issues with them advancing. This is a huge win after many years of work and means that paid leave legislation is only a few steps away from being sent to the Governor to be signed into law!

Treatment for breast cancer is often a months-long process, requiring surgery, hospitalization, and multiple medical appointments - all requiring time off from work. Paid medical leave would ensure that breast cancer patients can focus on their cancer treatment and recovery without the risk of financial ruin.

We are grateful to all of our advocates who took action to support this important legislation! If you would like to thank your legislator for their "Yes" vote on these bills, you can check their vote here:

HB1207 Floor Vote

SB2 Floor Vote

• Legislation to Help Patients Manage Out of Pocket Costs for Prescription Drugs - 🎉MOVING FORWARD!

Legislation that would allow Virginians to choose a health insurance plan with predictable co-pays for life-saving drugs has also passed both the House and Senate. It would require that health insurance carriers give patients an option to select a capped, flat-dollar co-pay-only health insurance plan where any covered medication within that plan would not exceed $100 per prescription per month in Silver/Gold/Platinum plans or $150 per prescription per month in Bronze plans. 

HB625, (Del. Henson), passed the House by a vote of 63-Y 35-N, and the Senate companion bill, SB161 (Sen. Perry), passed on the Senate Floor with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 34-6! Both bills will now be considered by the opposite chamber. Again, we have high hopes that this legislation will also be headed to the Governor's desk!

Again, our huge thanks to all the advocates who took action on these bills. If you would like to thank your legislator for their "Yes" vote on these bills, you can check their vote here:

HB625 Floor Vote

SB161 Floor Vote

Thank you to all of the advocates who took action in the last month to support these bills! We will keep you posted if and when further action may be needed!

Legislation Not Moving Forward:

Unfortunately, a few of VBCF's priorities did not make it through crossover:

HB435 (Del. LeVere Bolling): Creation of a Palliative Care Information and Education Program and Palliative Care and Quality of Life Advisory Council

This bill would expand access to palliative care through education and support. Palliative care for breast cancer can improve quality of life by managing symptoms, side effects, and stress from diagnosis and treatment, offering support for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs for patients and families. This bill was not passed out of Committee.



HB90 (Del. Seibold ) Insurance coverage for hair preservation

This bill would require health insurance carriers to provide coverage for scalp cooling systems for the preservation of hair during chemotherapy treatment. Without insurance coverage, patients must pay out of pocket, which ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 per course of chemotherapy - a cost out of reach for many. This bill was tabled to be sent to the Health Insurance Reform Commission for review, ending the bill’s consideration for 2026.

Questions? Contact Kirsta Millar

kirsta@vbcf.org or 804-285-1200 ext. 203.