Virginia Senate Bill 271
Session 2026
Prescription Drug Affordability Board; established, drug cost affordability review, report.
Active
Passed Senate on Feb 6, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
271
State
Virginia
Session
2026
Motion Text
Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 8-N 0-A)
Senate Roll Call Votes
Yes
Didn't Vote
Yes
Michael J. Jones
Yes
Yes
Yes
Summary
A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3442.02 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Title 32.1 a chapter numbered 7.3, consisting of sections numbered 32.1-276.12 through 32.1-276.19, relating to Prescription Drug Affordability Board established; drug cost affordability review.
Prescription Drug Affordability Board established; drug cost affordability review. Establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board (the Board) for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. The bill requires the Board to meet in open session at least four times annually, with certain exceptions and requirements enumerated in the bill. Members of the Board are required to disclose any conflicts of interest, as described in the bill. The bill also creates a stakeholder council for the purpose of assisting the Board in making decisions related to drug cost affordability. The bill tasks the Board with conducting affordability reviews of certain prescription drugs that are offered for sale in the Commonwealth. The bill lists factors for the Board to consider that indicate an affordability challenge for the health care system in the Commonwealth or high out-of-pocket costs for patients. The bill also provides that any person aggrieved by a decision of the Board may request an appeal of the Board's decision and that the Attorney General has authority to enforce the provisions of the bill. The bill requires the Board to annually report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, beginning on December 31, 2026. Provisions of the bill apply to state-sponsored and state-regulated health plans and health programs and obligate such policies to limit drug payment amounts and reimbursements to an upper payment limit amount set by the Board, if applicable, following an affordability review. The bill specifies that Medicare Part D plans are not bound by such decisions of the Board. The bill provides that certain provisions will expire unless reenacted by the 2028 Session of the General Assembly.
Engrossed
Commerce and Labor Amendment
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB271)
Sort by most recent
02/06/2026
Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (31-Y 8-N 0-A)
02/05/2026
Senate
Engrossed by Senate as amended (Voice Vote)
02/05/2026
Senate
Commerce and Labor Amendments agreed to
02/05/2026
Senate
Read second time
02/04/2026
Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
02/04/2026
Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
02/04/2026
Senate
Rules suspended
02/03/2026
Senate
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 5-N 1-A)
01/27/2026
Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB271)
01/26/2026
Senate
Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendments and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N 1-A)
01/26/2026
Senate
Senate committee offered
01/22/2026
Senate
Rereferred from Education and Health to Commerce and Labor (14-Y 0-N)
01/12/2026
Senate
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/12/2026
Senate
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105318D
Sources
VA Legislature
Open States
Record Created
Jan 20, 2026 9:51:16 PM
Record Updated
Feb 8, 2026 9:38:50 PM