Caps Room Temperature at 77 Degrees
Virginia · HB81 · Introduced Dec 31, 2025
Why it matters
Residents in these facilities would be kept cooler, with cooling required at lower temperatures than now. Facilities would need to change their systems to meet the lower limits.
What it does
- Assisted living facilities: cap rooms residents use at 77 degrees, down from 80
- Children's residential and family day homes: cooling required at 77 degrees, down from 80
- Juvenile correctional centers, group homes, and halfway houses: cooling required at 77 degrees, down from 80
- Hospice patient areas: maximum temperature of 77 degrees, down from 80
- Local jails: maximum temperature of 77 degrees, down from 85
Status
Latest action (2026-07-21): Continued from last session
About this bill
Would require five state agencies to change their rules so certain rooms in their facilities stay no warmer than 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Perspectives
💬 The case for
Advocates for residents' health would likely say lower limits protect people from heat illness. Cooler rooms are safer for children, older adults, and people who are sick.
💬 The case against
Some facility operators would likely say the change raises cooling costs. They may also say older buildings would need costly upgrades to meet the lower limits.
Sponsored by
Sponsor details for this state bill are at the source link.
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