VirginiaState agencies would set 77-degree limits in care and correctional facilities
Several state agencies would set 77 degrees Fahrenheit as a room-temperature limit or the point when cooling systems must be provided in covered care and correctional facilities.
What it does
The Department of Social Services would set a 77-degree limit in resident areas of licensed assisted living facilities and require cooling in specified rooms or areas of children's residential facilities and family day homes.
The Department of Juvenile Justice would require air conditioning or mechanical ventilation, such as electric fans, in rooms occupied by residents of specified juvenile facilities when the temperature reaches 77 degrees.
The department would require air conditioning or mechanical ventilation, such as electric fans, in rooms occupied by residents of children's residential facilities when the temperature reaches 77 degrees.
The Department of Health would limit the temperature maintained by heating and cooling systems in hospice patient areas to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Department of Corrections would limit the temperature in all rooms at local correctional facilities to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Argument forResidents and children in covered settings could be kept in cooler rooms during hot weather.
Argument againstCooling systems would have to be provided or used at lower temperatures, which could increase operating demands for covered facilities.
More detail
The Department of Social Services would amend its regulations to set the listed room temperature limits and cooling requirements at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. This covers licensed assisted living facilities, children's residential facilities, and family day homes. The assisted living limit applies in all resident areas; the other requirements apply in rooms or indoor areas occupied by residents or children.
The Department of Juvenile Justice would amend its regulations to require cooling systems at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The requirement covers rooms occupied by residents of juvenile correctional centers, juvenile group homes, and juvenile halfway houses.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services would amend its regulations to require cooling systems at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. The requirement covers rooms occupied by residents of licensed children's residential facilities.
The Department of Health would set a 77-degree maximum for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in hospice patient areas. This applies to patient areas in hospice facilities.
The Department of Corrections would set a 77-degree maximum for rooms in local correctional facilities. This applies to all rooms in local correctional facilities.
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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
- Feb 5Continued to next session in Health and Human Services (Voice Vote)
- Feb 3Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Jan 27Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB81)
- Jan 27Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB81)
- Jan 25Fiscal Impact statement From DPB (1/25/2026 12:03 pm)
- Jan 16Assigned sub: HealthMinor
- 2025
- Dec 31Referred to Committee on Health and Human ServicesMinor
- Dec 31Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102133DIntroduced
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