Virginia Senate approves package of bills on bias training, tenant protections, food-allergy labeling and other measures
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Summary
On Feb. 3, 2026, the Virginia Senate passed a series of bills including a mandate for bias-reduction training for licensed clinicians, a 14-day waiting period for some tenant eviction actions, and new labeling and guidance requirements for restaurant carryout and delivery allergy modifications.
RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Senate on Feb. 3 approved a broad slate of measures that tackle health-care training, landlord-tenant protections, consumer safety for food allergies and other matters as lawmakers moved through uncontested and regular calendars.
Senators began the day with ceremonial introductions and then placed a block of uncontested third‑reading bills on final passage. The chamber later heard sponsors explain individual measures before votes that, in most cases, produced narrow or unanimous margins.
Senate Bill 22, presented by the senator from Hampton, directs the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing to include bias‑reduction training in continuing‑education and competency requirements for licensure. The sponsor said the substitute requires training on conditions that are racialized in clinical practice — including sickle cell disease — and allows subsequent trainings to cover cultural competency and respectful communication. “Implicit bias contributes to health disparities,” the sponsor said. The bill passed 30–8.
Senate Bill 48, described by its sponsor as part of the governor’s affordability agenda, provides tenants additional time — 14 days — to secure wages, borrow funds or apply for rental assistance before certain eviction remedies take effect. The measure passed 21–18.
Lawmakers also approved bills aimed at consumer safety in food service. One measure limits required labeling to modified takeout or delivery items when a patron has identified an allergy and a restaurant has altered the order; another directs the Department of Health to issue multilingual guidance for staff and requires restaurants to post notices in employee prep areas and request allergy disclosure from patrons. Sponsors said the rules are intended to reduce preventable allergic reactions while avoiding a universal labeling mandate for every menu item. The related bills passed on recorded votes.
Other notable actions included a bill giving the Board of Education leeway to approve alternative course substitutions so students transferring into Virginia public schools pursuing International Baccalaureate diplomas can graduate on time, and a measure directing continuing‑education checks and an attestation about timely signing of death certificates to address delays that leave families in legal limbo. Both measures passed.
The chamber also debated a bill that would permit charitable poker events under defined operational limits, including age restrictions and buy‑in rules; the sponsor emphasized the bill does not expand commercial gaming. Several senators exchanged informal remarks about gambling and faith during that debate; the bill passed.
Votes at a glance
- SB22 (continuing education: bias‑reduction training) — Passed, Ayes 30, Nos 8. Sponsor: senator from Hampton. - SB48 (landlord remedies — mandatory waiting period) — Passed, Ayes 21, Nos 18. Sponsor: junior senator from Virginia Beach. - SB63 (Board of Education: alternatives for IB/advanced diploma) — Passed, Ayes 22, Nos 17. Sponsor: senator from Central Fairfax. - SB183 (restaurant labeling for modified carryout/delivery items) — Passed, Ayes 22, Nos 17. Sponsor: senator from Norfolk. - SB194 (death‑certificate attestation and training) — Passed, Ayes 39, Nos 0. Sponsor: senator from Norfolk. - SB248 (multilingual guidance and allergy notices in establishments) — Passed, Ayes 24, Nos 15. Sponsor: junior senator from Loudoun. - SB290 (local enforcement authority under VRLTA enforcement provisions) — Passed, Ayes 21, Nos 18. Sponsor: senator from Eastern Henrico. - SB341 (private school anti‑bullying and parental notification) — Passed, Ayes 34, Nays 5. Sponsor: senator from Northern Fairfax. - SB765 (charitable gaming/poker events) — Passed, Ayes 31, Nays 8. Sponsor: senator from Richmond City.
What’s next
Most measures passed by the Senate will move to the other chamber or return to the calendar for concurrence where required. The clerk and committee chairs also announced upcoming committee meetings and subcommittee schedule adjustments before the Senate adjourned until noon the next day.
Reporting note: Quotes and attributions are taken from floor remarks recorded in the Senate floor transcript. Where the transcript did not provide a speaker’s proper name, this report uses the chamber description used on the record (for example, “the senator from Hampton”).