Fentanyl pills seized by the Fairfax County Police Department in August 2024. Malcolm’s Law, House Bill 2742, is now in effect, requiring all Virginia emergency rooms to test for fentanyl. The law followed the 2023 overdose death of a Fairfax teenager whose condition was missed by standard hospital screenings.
In 2025, the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin passed and signed over 650 bills into law. While most legislation hits the books in July, several major laws went live on Jan. 1, 2026. From closing fatal diagnostic gaps in ERs and ensuring foster youth move with dignity, to providing a retirement pathway for primates previously euthanized after lab research, these hidden victories address the pocketbook and health issues that matter to Virginians. Here is a curated selection of the hidden victories as we move forward in 2026.
Malcolm’s Law: Blind Spot in Virginia Hospitals Corrected
Virginia hospitals with emergency departments must now include fentanyl in all routine urine drug screenings to prevent diagnostic errors in overdose cases. Named in memory of a 17-year-old Fairfax resident whose synthetic opioid overdose was missed by standard hospital tests, Malcolm’s Law (HB 2742) closes a potentially fatal diagnostic gap. Just a tiny amount of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is a potentially deadly dose, according to the DEA. During legislative testimony, it was revealed that adding a fentanyl reagent to a standard test costs less than $1 per patient for a life-saving measure. The bill, introduced by Del. Irene Shin (D-Herndon), passed with unanimous 99-0 and 40-0 votes before being signed into law by Gov. Glenn Youngkin on March 21, 2025.
Failed Two Consecutive Years Before Passing: The Breast Cancer Screening Act
After clearing significant hurdles related to insurance mandates, the Breast Cancer Screening Act HB 1828 is eliminating the follow-up fee. State-regulated insurance plans are prohibited from charging copays for diagnostic breast exams and follow-up MRIs, ending a years-long push for cost-free detection. This legislation specifically targets the hidden costs that often hit patients after a suspicious finding on a standard mammogram. The bill, introduced by Del. Shelly Simonds (D-Newport News), passed with unanimous 99-0 and 40-0 votes before being signed into law by Gov. Youngkin on March 24, 2025.
Prostate Screening Equity: Aligning with Modern Medicine
HB 2097, introduced by lead patron Del. Bobby Orrock, (R-Caroline), forces insurers to cover prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk individuals, mirroring protections recently established for other major cancers. Previously stalled due to insurance lobby concerns about premium costs, this law ensures PSA tests are treated with the same preventive priority as mammograms. The bill passed with 97-0 and 40-0 votes before being signed into law by Gov. Youngkin on March 21, 2025.
Medical Debt Protection Act: Capping Interest on Illness
HB 1725, introduced by Del. Karrie Delaney (D-Fairfax), passed with a 53-44 and 27-13 vote before being signed into law by Youngkin on May 2, 2025. New protections limit interest rates on medical debt to 3% annually and prohibit hospitals from taking aggressive collection actions, such as foreclosures. This bill faced several years of debate before a compromise was reached to shield patients from financial ruin due to healthcare costs.
Primate Retirement Law
The Primate Retirement Law, SB 907, states that state-funded research facilities in Virginia are now required to offer retired primates to certified sanctuaries rather than resorting to euthanasia, which was previously the standard protocol. This compassionate mandate ensures that monkeys and other primates used in state-funded studies have a pathway to a natural life once their research term ends. In consultation with a facility's attending veterinarian, research centers must now prioritize retirement over euthanasia. The bill, introduced by Sen. Bill Stanley (R-Franklin), passed unanimously in the Senate (39-0) and passed the House (75-21) before being signed into law on March 24, 2025.
The End of ‘Mystery’ Court Bills
HB 1665, introduced by lead patron Del. Michael Jones, (D-Richmond), ensures that Virginians convicted of traffic infractions or crimes can now request a transparent, line-item receipt for every fine, fee and court cost assessed. The bill ends the era of "mystery bills" by requiring court clerks to provide a detailed financial breakdown at the time of assessment or upon request. The bill passed unanimously, with 99-0 and 40-0 votes, before being signed into law on March 24, 2025.
Extra $52 Unemployment Boost
The maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Virginia has increased by $52 for all new claims filed as of Jan. 1, 2026. Introduced as HB 1766 by Del. Marty Martinez (D-Loudoun), the increase was enacted as part of the 2025 budget compromise to help benefits keep pace with the rising cost of living in the Commonwealth.
Wetlands Protection Task Force: Fighting ‘Marsh Loss’
Virginia has launched a Wetlands Policy Task Force to slow the rapid loss of state wetlands and develop a strategy for large-scale restoration. Wetlands act as nature's "kidneys," filtering pollutants from water before they reach the Chesapeake Bay and protecting Fairfax County neighborhoods from flash flooding. This new mandate (HB 2034) requires a state-federal coalition of scientists, nonprofits, and government agencies to move beyond merely preserving what remains. By coordinating with federal partners, the task force will expand wetland acreage to mitigate rising sea levels and ensure Virginia’s restoration goals align with national environmental standards. Introduced by Del. Shelly Simonds (D-Newport News), the bill passed with bipartisan support (84-14 and 38-2) before being signed into law on March 21, 2025.
Step Toward Stability For Those Experiencing Homelessness
While this law officially went into effect mid-2025, its full funding and administrative rollout at DMV offices and the Department of Health — including those in Fairfax County — began in earnest on Jan. 1, 2026. HB 1617, the Homeless Identity Act, waives all state fees for birth certificates and government-issued identification cards for youth and adults experiencing homelessness. The new rule requires state agencies to provide these documents at no cost to individuals who can certify their homelessness through a shelter or social service agency. The bill, introduced by Del. Adele McClure (D-Arlington), passed 82-14 and 40-0 before being signed into law on March 21, 2025.
The Foster Care Luggage Law:
HB 1631, introduced by lead patron Del. Candi Mundon King (D-Prince William), requires the Department of Social Services to maintain a supply of new luggage so that children in foster care no longer have to move their belongings in trash bags. For decades, the "black trash bag" has been a heartbreaking symbol of the foster care experience, often damaging a child's sense of self-worth during an already traumatic move. This law requires that each local department maintain a supply of suitcases or duffel bags for every child in the system. The bill passed unanimously, with 99-0 and 40-0 votes, and was signed into law on March 21, 2025.