2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26102133D

HOUSE BILL NO. 81

Offered January 14, 2026

Prefiled December 31, 2025

A BILL to direct certain state agencies to amend their regulations regarding the maximum temperature at which certain rooms may be kept.

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Patron—Price

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Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. That the Department of Social Services shall amend its regulations to (i) reduce the maximum temperature permitted in all areas used by residents of licensed assisted living facilities from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit; (ii) reduce the temperature at which air conditioning or mechanical ventilating systems, such as electric fans, are required to be provided in all rooms occupied by residents of licensed children's residential facilities from above 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit; and (iii) reduce the temperature at which fans or other cooling systems are required to be used in inside areas of licensed family day homes occupied by children from above 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

§ 2. That the Department of Juvenile Justice shall amend its regulations to reduce the temperature at which air conditioning or mechanical ventilating systems, such as electric fans, are required to be provided in all rooms occupied by residents of juvenile correctional centers, juvenile group homes, and juvenile halfway houses from above 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

§ 3. That the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services shall amend its regulations to reduce the temperature at which air conditioning or mechanical ventilating systems, such as electric fans, are required to be provided in all rooms occupied by residents of children's residential facilities from above 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

§ 4. That the Department of Health shall amend its regulations to reduce the maximum temperature maintained by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in hospice facilities in patient areas from 80 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

§ 5. That the Department of Corrections shall amend its regulations to reduce the maximum temperature that may be maintained in all rooms in local correctional facilities from 85 degrees Fahrenheit to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.