VirginiaPeople could ask courts to review evidence in benefit decisions
The proposal describes court review of decisions about eligibility and service levels for several public benefit programs, based on evidence in the agency’s record.
What it does
People appealing decisions about listed public benefits could ask a court to review the agency’s evidence. If the person wins, the court sends the case back to the agency.
Argument forPeople disputing a decision about benefits or service levels might get a court to check whether the agency record supports it, and send the case back if they win.
Argument againstPeople appealing a benefit decision might be unable to challenge the program’s need standards or payment levels, and the court could not grant temporary relief.
More detail
The proposal describes court review of certain agency decisions about public benefits. The programs listed are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, food assistance, general relief, auxiliary grants, and state-local hospitalization. An appeal cannot challenge whether need standards or payment levels for public assistance and social services are adequate. The court reviews only the agency record to see whether it contains evidence supporting the decision. If the person wins, the court sends the case back to the agency for further action. The court generally cannot review the law, rule, standard, or policy behind the decision, and it cannot grant temporary relief.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Mar 3Continued to next session in Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
- Feb 25Reported from General Laws and Technology and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)Minor
- Feb 20Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB560)
- Feb 18Referred to Committee on General Laws and TechnologyMinor
- Feb 18Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 17Read third time and passed House (86-Y 11-N 0-A)Passed House
- Feb 16Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 16committee substitute rejected
- Feb 16Read second timeMinor
- Feb 15Read first timeMinor
- Feb 13Committee substitute printed 26107945D-H2Major
- Feb 13Reported from Appropriations with substitute (18-Y 4-N)Minor
- Feb 13Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 0-N)Major
- Feb 10Assigned HAPP sub: Health & Human ResourcesMinor
- Feb 10Committee substitute printed 26107640D-H1Major
- Feb 10Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute and referred to Appropriations (21-Y 1-N)Minor
- Feb 10House committee offered
- Feb 5Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute and referring to Appropriations (9-Y 0-N)Major
- Feb 5House subcommittee offered
- Feb 2Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB560)
- Jan 30Assigned sub: Social ServicesMinor
- Jan 29Referred from General Laws and referred to Health and Human Services (Voice Vote)Minor
- Jan 13Referred to Committee on General LawsMinor
- Jan 13Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105257DIntroduced
Healthcare