Virginia Paid Sick Leave Bill Passes House, Advances to Governor

RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates passed a bill on Monday that would require employers across the state to provide paid sick leave to their employees. The legislation passed along party lines within the Democrat-controlled House.

Expanding Paid Sick Leave Access

Under the proposed law, employers would be required to grant employees one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Currently, this requirement only applies to home health workers, who previously advocated for this benefit. For most other workers in Virginia, whether or not they receive paid sick leave is determined by their employer.

The bill limits the amount of paid sick leave employees can accrue, use, or carry over to 40 hours per year, though employers could choose to allow a higher limit.

Did You Know? House Bill 5 passed the House of Delegates with a vote of 63 to 35.

Broader Worker Support Measures

Legislators are also considering a separate program that would establish paid family and medical leave insurance. This program could provide up to 12 weeks of leave for events such as childbirth, adoption, or to care for a family member facing a serious health condition. The program would be funded through premiums paid by both employers and employees, and would cover up to 80% of an individual’s average weekly wage, with a statewide cap.

Previous attempts to pass similar legislation have been unsuccessful, as former Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed both paid family medical leave and paid sick leave initiatives. Republicans in the General Assembly have generally expressed concerns about the potential costs associated with these programmes.

Expert Insight: The passage of this bill represents a significant shift in Virginia’s approach to worker protections, potentially impacting businesses of all sizes and the financial security of millions of residents. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between supporting workers and addressing potential economic burdens on employers.

Governor Abigail Spanberger has indicated her support for both the paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave proposals. She stated that Virginia can be both business-friendly and supportive of working families.

A fiscal impact statement estimates that the paid sick leave bill would cost the state $26.6 million in fiscal year 2028, increasing to $34.3 million by fiscal year 2031. It would also require additional staffing at the Department of Labor and Industry. The paid family and medical leave program is projected to require $117.1 million in startup costs over fiscal years 2027 and 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this bill require employers to do?

The bill requires employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Who is currently covered by a paid sick leave requirement in Virginia?

Currently, the requirement only applies to home health workers.

What is the maximum amount of paid sick leave an employee can accrue under this bill?

Employees would not be allowed to accrue, use, or carry over more than 40 hours of paid sick leave in a year, unless their employer allows a higher limit.

How might these changes affect Virginia’s businesses and workforce in the coming years?