SB580 allows state behavioral health facilities to process electronic sealed mail
Summary
Virginia Governor signed SB580 into law on April 6, 2026, allowing state facilities operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to process sealed letter mail for electronic delivery to individuals receiving services. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers (Senate 39-0, House 96-0) and takes effect July 1, 2026.
What changed
SB580 amends Virginia law to authorize Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services facilities to process sealed letter mail for electronic delivery to individuals receiving services. The bill creates a new pathway for residents of state mental health and developmental centers to receive sealed correspondence through electronic means rather than physical delivery.
State behavioral health facilities and developmental centers must prepare to implement electronic mail processing procedures by July 1, 2026. While the change is procedural and low-risk, affected facilities should review current mail handling policies and establish protocols for processing sealed mail electronically while maintaining recipient privacy and security.
What to do next
- Update mail processing procedures to include electronic delivery option
- Train staff on handling sealed mail for electronic delivery
- Ensure compliance with mail privacy requirements by effective date
Archived snapshot
Apr 9, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Virginia / SB580 Signed by Governor SB580 Senate Bill Signed by Governor 2026-04-06
Individuals receiving services in a hospital, training center, etc.; right to send and receive mail.
Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; individuals receiving services; right to send and receive mail. Allows state facilities operated by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to process sealed letter mail for electronic delivery. This bill is identical to HB 1304.
Bill Details
State Virginia
Session 2026 Regular Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB580
LegiScan View on LegiScan
Sponsors
Mark Peake (Sen - R)
Action History
2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 290 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-04-06 Approved by Governor-Chapter 290 (effective 7/1/2026) 2026-03-10 Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026 2026-03-10 S Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026 2026-03-04 S Signed by President 2026-03-04 H Signed by Speaker 2026-03-04 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB580) 2026-03-04 S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB580ER) 2026-03-04 S Enrolled 2026-02-27 H Passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-27 H Read third time 2026-02-26 H Read second time 2026-02-24 H Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N) 2026-02-20 H Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services 2026-02-20 H Read first time 2026-02-20 H Placed on Calendar 2026-02-17 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB580) 2026-02-16 S Blank Action 2026-02-16 S Read third time and passed Senate Block Vote (39-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-16 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-16 S Rules suspended 2026-02-16 S Engrossed by Senate as amended Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-16 S Education and Health Amendment agreed to 2026-02-16 S Read second time 2026-02-13 S Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote) 2026-02-13 S Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (36-Y 0-N 0-A) 2026-02-13 S Rules suspended 2026-02-12 S Reported from Education and Health with amendments (14-Y 0-N) 2026-02-12 S Senate committee offered 2026-01-26 S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB580) 2026-01-14 S Referred to Committee on Education and Health 2026-01-14 S Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101844D
Votes
2026-02-12 Reported from Education and Health with substitute (14-Y 0-N) Yea: 14 Nay: 0 2026-02-13 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (36-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 36 Nay: 0 2026-02-16 Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 3rd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 39 Nay: 0 2026-02-16 Read third time and passed Senate Yea: 39 Nay: 0 2026-02-24 Reported from Health and Human Services (22-Y 0-N) Yea: 22 Nay: 0 2026-02-27 Passed House (96-Y 0-N 0-A) Yea: 96 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-01-14 S Education and Health 2026-02-20 H Health and Human Services
Amendments
0000-00-00 Education and Health Amendment 0000-00-00 Education and Health Amendment
Bill Text Versions
2026-01-14 Introduced 2026-02-16 Engrossed 2026-03-04 Enrolled Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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