Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed Executive Order 52, which sets in motion a range of measures to strengthen oversight of nursing homes throughout Virginia. The order instructs the Virginia Department of Health, through its Office of Licensure and Certification (OLC), to take specific steps aimed at improving safety, quality, and transparency in the state’s long-term care facilities.
Key elements of the executive order include increasing workforce capacity by launching a recruitment campaign for Long-Term Care Medical Facility Inspectors. The initiative aims to fill all vacancies on this team and establish a regional OLC office in Northern Virginia with a dedicated inspection unit. Both traditional and non-traditional recruiting strategies will be used.
Oversight will also be reinforced by creating an Advisory Board on Nursing Home Oversight and Accountability. This board is tasked with recommending policies and practices that can improve resident well-being and elevate standards across nursing homes.
The executive order calls for modernizing operations by automating licensing and inspection processes, expanding digital tools, and evaluating artificial intelligence solutions to reduce administrative burdens.
A new public information portal will increase transparency by providing access to inspection results, disciplinary actions, and key facility performance metrics.
Governor Youngkin visited the OLC on August 8 to receive updates on ongoing improvements such as streamlined inspection scheduling, faster complaint resolution, expanded digital licensing tools, and increased public access to compliance data.
“Virginia’s seniors and families deserve peace of mind knowing their loved ones are receiving the highest quality care,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This Executive Order reinforces our commitment to safety, transparency, and excellence in long-term care. I commend the OLC team for embracing innovation and working tirelessly to support caregivers and protect residents.”
“This Executive Order puts a strong foundation under the progress we’ve already made and gives us the tools to go further, faster,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. Kelly. “We are committed to building a long-term care system that is transparent, accountable, and worthy of the trust Virginia families place in it.”
“The OLC team is ready to meet this challenge,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton, MD. “These initiatives will allow us to attract and retain top talent, modernize the way we work, and strengthen partnerships to better protect residents. It’s a clear signal that quality and safety come first in Virginia’s nursing homes.”
“Right now, too many of our most vulnerable Virginians are getting substandard care and the nursing homes are getting away with it. I thank Governor Youngkin for this strong action today to bring needed oversight, accountability, and enforcement. Together, we will keep working to improve oversight and protect Virginians,” said Delegate Mike Cherry.
The OLC oversees licensing for nearly 300 nursing homes statewide with about 33,000 beds. Facilities are subject to regular inspections for compliance with state laws as well as federal requirements when certified for Medicare or Medicaid. The OLC staff includes healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, dietitians, and social workers who inspect facilities and investigate complaints from consumers.
These efforts build upon bipartisan legislation passed earlier this year that provided full funding for nursing home inspectors while expanding enforcement authority within the state’s long-term care system.
