RICHMOND, VA – Today, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed HB5 into law, a top priority for House Democrats, expanding paid sick leave protections from a narrow category of healthcare workers to workers across the Commonwealth. The new law updates paid sick leave standards across industries to better support employees while including key safeguards for small businesses – so that no Virginian has to choose between their health and their paycheck.
The new law extends Virginia’s existing earned sick leave policy to include workers of private employers and state and local governments, allowing workers to earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. It also ensures accrued sick leave is not lost when a worker is transferred or their employer changes; allows employers to offer more generous policies; and permits workers to use earned sick leave to care for their health, support a family member, or address situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The bill includes clear enforcement standards and a delayed effective date of July 1, 2027.
“With Governor Spanberger’s partnership, we have ensured that hardworking Virginians never have to sacrifice their livelihood for their health,” said Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler, Patron of HB5. “This law officially secures paid sick leave benefits for more than one million workers across the Commonwealth and guarantees that workers are treated with dignity and care during times of illness.”
“This law is about stability and guaranteeing that hardworking Virginians are supported by their employers during crucial times of need,” said the Virginia House Democratic Caucus. “We are proud of the work we have done this session to ensure that employers and workers alike can face illness through a standardized process.”