Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 257: Health insurance; requirements for certain opioid antagonists.
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 257 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Health insurance; requirements for certain opioid antagonists. Primary sponsor: Barbara Favola (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (April 8, 2026): Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0424).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Health insurance; requirements for certain opioid antagonists. Requires each health insurer, corporation providing health care subscription plans, and health maintenance organization whose policy, contract, or plan includes coverage for prescription drugs to include coverage for at least one opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal dispensed pursuant to an oral, written, or standing order of a prescriber and ensure that cost-sharing for at least one opioid antagonist used for overdose reversal is included on the lowest cost tier of the insurer's, corporation's, or health maintenance organization's prescription drug formulary. The bill provides that such coverage shall be exempt from any prior authorization or step therapy requirement on coverage of benefits. As introduced, this bill was a recommendation of the Joint Commission on Health Care. This bill is identical to HB 795.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbara Favola | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 40 |
| Kannan Srinivasan | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 32 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0424)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 424 (effective 7/1/2026)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB257)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB257ER)
- Enrolled
- House substitute agreed to by Senate (39-Y 1-N 0-A)
- Passed House with substitute (96-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by House - committee substitute
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history