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HB481Introduced in the House of Delegates

Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial.

Passed

Introduced by Patrick Hope, District 1

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Prior authorization; requiring physician review for denial. Prohibits a health insurance carrier from making an adverse determination of a prior authorization request (i) for prescription drugs unless such denial has been reviewed and approved by a licensed physician or, if a licensed physician is not available, by a licensed pharmacist or (ii) for health care services unless such adverse determination has been reviewed and approved by (a) a licensed physician; (b) in the case of mental health services, a licensed mental health provider if a licensed physician is unavailable; or (c) in the case of dental services, a licensed dentist if a licensed physician is unavailable.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0925)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A) · March 10, 2026

98

Yes

1

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each delegate voted

DelegateDistrictVote
Patrick Hope1Yes
Adele McClure2Yes
Alfonso Lopez3Yes
Charniele Herring4Yes
Kirk McPike5Yes
Richard Sullivan6Yes
Karen Keys-Gamarra7Yes
Irene Shin8Yes
Karrie Delaney9Yes
Dan Helmer10Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105194D

  2. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  3. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #1

  4. House subcommittee offered

  5. Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (9-Y 0-N)

  6. Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (22-Y 0-N)

  7. Committee substitute printed 26106401D-H1

  8. Read first time

  9. Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

  10. Read second time

  11. committee substitute agreed to

  12. Engrossed by House - committee substitute

  13. Read third time and passed House (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

  14. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  15. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  16. Senate committee offered

  17. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)

  18. Committee substitute printed 26108765D-S1

  19. Rules suspended

  20. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  21. Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

  22. Read third time

  23. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

  24. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute

  25. Passed Senate with substitute Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  26. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB481)

  27. Passed by for the day

  28. Senate substitute agreed to by House (98-Y 1-N 0-A)

  29. Enrolled

  30. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB481ER)

  31. Signed by President

  32. Signed by Speaker

  33. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  34. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  35. Fiscal Impact Statement from State Corporation Commission (HB481)

  36. Approved by Governor-Chapter 925 (effective 7/1/2026)

  37. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0925)

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