Subcommittee vote roundup: health workforce and licensing bills
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Summary
The subcommittee reported most bills on the agenda to committees or appropriations (usually unanimously); one agency bill (HB 622) failed to be reported. The roundup lists outcomes and key details for each bill.
The House Health Professions Subcommittee considered multiple bills and recorded these actions:
- HB 746 (physician assistants): Reported with substitute (7–0). Substitute clarifies attestation requirements and regulatory pathways for endorsement/compact licensees.
- HB 622 (APRN veteran/military recognition): Motion to report as amended failed (3–4). Opponents urged DHP analysis to compare VA/military autonomous practice with Virginia’s collaborative‑care model.
- HB 523 (military medic/corpsman program): Reported with substitute (7–0); expands licensure pathways and creates a workgroup to support service members transitioning to civilian health careers.
- HB 605 (nursing‑home staffing): Reported with substitute and referred to Appropriations (7–0). Substitute phases in case‑mix‑adjusted staffing (3.08 hours per resident/day by 7/1/2027; 3.25 by 2031) and directs JCHC to study a 24/7 RN requirement (report due 12/1/2026).
- HB 717 (change‑of‑operator obligations): Reported and referred to Appropriations (6–0); establishes disclosure, application and bonding requirements for operators when ownership changes.
- HB 1282 (licensure by endorsement for experienced substance‑use counselors): Reported as amended (7–0); creates an alternative endorsement pathway while retaining supervision, exams and background checks.
- HB 1006 (optometrists dispensing ophthalmic drugs): Reported with substitute (6–0); substitute adds Board of Pharmacy licensing and regulatory safeguards, removes emergency clause and limits dispensing to prepackaged manufacturer forms.
- HB 209 (peer recovery specialists): Reported as amended (6–0); amendment aligns hiring exceptions with DOC practices and directs agency guidance.
Most bills moved forward by unanimous or near‑unanimous margins, with HB 622 the notable exception where members asked for additional technical analysis before reporting.
