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SB260 • 2026

Aging, Commonwealth Council on; advising strategies for reducing social isolation among seniors.

An Act to amend and reenact § 51.5-128 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; senior isolation prevention.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Stanley
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Acts of Assembly Chapter
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details about how the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services will implement the advice given by the Commonwealth Council on Aging.

Helping Older People Stay Connected

This law asks a group that helps older people to suggest ways to stop them from feeling lonely and alone.

What This Bill Does

  • It tells the Commonwealth Council on Aging to advise the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services on strategies to reduce social isolation and loneliness among seniors.
  • The council must also recommend ways to promote volunteer engagement with senior citizens.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Older Virginians who might feel lonely or isolated.
  • The Commonwealth Council on Aging, which advises the state government on aging issues.
  • The Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, which will use the council's advice to help seniors.

Terms To Know

Commonwealth Council on Aging
A group that studies the needs of older people in Virginia and gives advice to the government.
Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
An agency that helps older Virginians with their needs, such as health care and social services.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify how the council will get funding to carry out its new duties.
  • It is unclear what specific actions the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services must take based on the council's advice.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Approved by Governor-Chapter 491 (effective 7/1/2026)

  2. 2026-04-08 Governor

    Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0491)

  3. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  4. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  5. 2026-03-31 House

    Signed by Speaker

  6. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  7. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  8. 2026-03-31 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB260)

  9. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Signed by President

  10. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Enrolled

  11. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB260ER)

  12. 2026-03-11 House

    Read third time

  13. 2026-03-11 House

    Passed House Block Vote (99-Y 0-N 0-A)

  14. 2026-03-10 House

    Read second time

  15. 2026-03-06 Rules

    Reported from Rules (18-Y 0-N)

  16. 2026-03-02 Studies Subcommittee

    Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 0-N)

  17. 2026-03-01 Studies Subcommittee

    Assigned HRUL sub: Studies Subcommittee

  18. 2026-02-19 House

    Placed on Calendar

  19. 2026-02-19 House

    Read first time

  20. 2026-02-19 Rules

    Referred to Committee on Rules

  21. 2026-02-18 Finance and Appropriations

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB260)

  22. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Read second time

  23. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  24. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Rules suspended

  25. 2026-02-16 Finance and Appropriations

    Finance and Appropriations Substitute agreed to

  26. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  27. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  28. 2026-02-16 Senate

    Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

  29. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Rules suspended

  30. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  31. 2026-02-13 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (35-Y 0-N 0-A)

  32. 2026-02-13 Finance and Appropriations

    Committee substitute printed 26107890D-S1

  33. 2026-02-12 Finance and Appropriations

    Reported from Finance and Appropriations with substitute (15-Y 0-N)

  34. 2026-02-06 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)

  35. 2026-02-05 Senate

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB260)

  36. 2026-01-12 Senate

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102171D

  37. 2026-01-12 Rehabilitation and Social Services

    Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services

Official Summary Text

Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; senior isolation prevention.
Requires the Commonwealth Council on Aging to advise the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services on strategies for reducing social isolation and loneliness among seniors and promoting volunteer engagement.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
An Act to amend and reenact §
51.5-128
of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services; senior isolation prevention.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §
51.5-128
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§
51.5-128
. Duties of the Commonwealth Council on Aging.
A. The Commonwealth Council on Aging (the Council) shall have the following duties:
1. Examine the needs of older Virginians and their caregivers and ways in which state government can most effectively and efficiently assist in meeting those needs;
2. Advise the Governor and General Assembly on aging issues and aging policy for the Commonwealth;
3. Advise the Governor on any proposed regulations deemed by the Director of the Department of Planning and Budget to have a substantial and distinct impact on older Virginians and their caregivers. Such advice shall be provided in addition to other regulatory reviews required by the Administrative Process Act (§
2.2-4000
et seq.);
4. Advocate for and assist in developing the Commonwealth's planning for meeting the needs of the growing number of older Virginians and their caregivers;
5. Assist and advise the Department regarding strategies to improve nutritional health, alleviate hunger, and prevent malnutrition among older adults;
6. Recommend budget requests for consideration in the Governor's development of the budget;
and
7. Review and provide input as part of the development of the four-year-plan for aging services as defined in §
51.5-136
; and
8. Advise the Department on strategies for reducing social isolation and loneliness among seniors and promoting volunteer engagement
.
B. The Council may apply for and expend such grants, gifts, or bequests from any source as may become available in connection with its duties under this section, and may comply with such conditions and requirements as may be imposed in connection therewith.
C. The Council shall submit to the Governor, General Assembly, and Department by October 1 of each year an electronic report regarding the activities and recommendations of the Council, which shall be submitted for publication as a report document as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website and the Department's website.