Virginia Legislature passes Bennett-Parker bill requiring celiac disease training for restaurant workers

A recently approved bill sponsored by State Del. Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker seeks to broaden the training content for restaurant employees to include celiac disease awareness, food safety, and other related health topics, the Virginia State House reports.

This measure was passed by both legislative chambers and officially enrolled as of March 5, 2026, with an 86-10 vote in the House and a 26-14 vote in the Senate.

Designated as HB380, the bill was introduced on Jan. 14, 2026, in the regular session. The state legislature’s summary reads: “Celiac disease; training materials for restaurant personnel.”

Below is a summarized analysis, referencing the official bill text, offering explanations to clarify key components.

In summary, the bill directs the state health commissioner to add celiac disease awareness and safety information to the written training resources formulated for restaurant workers. The updated requirements direct that such materials now include food safety, allergy awareness and safety, and celiac disease information, as well as communicable disease prevention, symptom education, personal hygiene, and safe food handling. The bill preserves the commissioner’s discretion to provide trainers for restaurant staff on safe practices.

House approval included votes from 64 Democrats and 22 Republicans, while 10 Republicans voted against it.

Senate approval saw 21 Democrats and 5 Republicans voting for the bill; 14 Republicans opposed.

The bill’s sponsors were Del. Elizabeth B. Bennett-Parker (Democrat-5th District), Del. Delores L. McQuinn (Democrat-81st District), and Del. Jeion A. Ward (Democrat-87th District).

Bennett-Parker earned a BA from Cornell University in 2007.

Bennett-Parker, a Democrat, won election to the Virginia State Senate in 2026, succeeding Adam Ebbin in representing the state’s 39th House District.

In Virginia, the legislative process starts with a bill’s introduction in either the House of Delegates or Senate, after which it is reviewed by relevant committees. Following committee approval, the measure advances to debate and vote in both chambers. Once cleared by both, the bill is sent to the governor for signature, veto, or allowance to become law without signature. The Virginia General Assembly meets every year from the second Monday in January for its regular session, with lawmakers bringing forward hundreds of bills annually, though only some are enacted.

Information for this report was sourced from the Virginia State House. Source files are available here.