Bill > SB897

This bill amends Virginia state law to explicitly include domestic workers in overtime pay regulations, defining "domestic services" as household-related work performed in or around a private home, such as childcare, elder care, housekeeping, cooking, vehicle parking, laundry, gardening, and personal affair organization. The bill defines a "domestic worker" as an hourly, salaried, full-time, or part-time employee or independent contractor providing these services, excluding those providing certain government-funded consumer-directed services. Under the bill, employers must pay domestic workers an overtime premium of at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, calculated using a method similar to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. If an employer fails to pay required overtime, employees can sue to recover unpaid wages, with potential additional liquidated damages and attorney fees. The law provides a two-year statute of limitations for such actions, extending to three years for willful violations. The provisions will become effective on July 1, 2026, giving employers time to prepare for the new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB897