WatchGov

Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia SB 398

Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program and Fund; filing of claims.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed Senate
  4. Passed House
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Cosponsors (2)

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED

Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program and Fund; board of directors; plan of operation; filing of claims; awards and coverage for expenses or services. Makes various changes to the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program and Fund. The bill provides that a civil action arising out of or related to a birth-related neurological injury against a participating hospital or physician shall be referred to the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission. Under the bill, the costs of the Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission maintaining an electronic filing system for the submission of petitions shall be reimbursed from the Fund. Under the bill, the Auditor of Public Accounts shall receive and review any audit conducted on the accounts of the Fund. The bill includes compensation for services provided by an education advocate. The bill requires the Program's board of directors to include a relative of a current or former beneficiary, allows for the electronic submission of claims, and expands discovery of parties to a claim. The bill further requires the Program's board of directors to establish a blanket surety bonding program for all employees with access to the Fund and requires the board to meet at least once monthly. Finally, the bill increases from $100,000 to $500,000 the amount that may be awarded to families whose infant has sustained a birth-related neurological injury. This bill incorporates SB 434 and is identical to HB 1007.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 14, 2026, 12:15 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 14, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 14, 2026
Senate		Adopt Conference Committee Report RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Mar 3, 2026
Senate		Accede Conference Committee RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 26, 2026
Senate		Concur House Substitute RfailSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 24, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 19, 2026
House		Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 10, 2026
Senate		Passage RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 10, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed (on 3rd reading)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 9, 2026
Senate		Constitutional reading dispensed RpassSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 5, 2026
Senate		Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitutepassSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 26, 2026
Senate		Reported from Commerce and Labor with amendmentspassSet your home in Virginia to see

Actions