Panel advances bill restoring food‑permit exemption for small custodial homes

Delegate Delia Simons carried HB 840 for the administration, saying the bill restores a regulatory exemption that had existed in regulation for decades but was removed in 2021 because it was not codified. The substitute clarifies that small family day homes and small group homes serving a stable limited population may prepare meals without a VDH food establishment permit when they are already overseen by other state agencies.

Olivia McCormick of the Virginia Department of Health said the agency supported the bill and asked the subcommittee to report it. No witnesses testified in opposition during the hearing.

The subcommittee moved and reported HB 840 by voice vote; the clerk recorded the bill as reported 6 to 0.