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Bill > HB1207
VA HB1207
VA HB1207Paid family & med. leave insurance program; definitions, notice requirements, civil action, report.
summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
03/13/2026
03/13/2026
Passed
04/22/2026
04/22/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
04/22/2026
04/22/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Paid family and medical leave insurance program; notice requirements; civil action. Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to establish and administer a paid family and medical leave insurance program with benefits beginning April 1, 2028. Under the program, benefits are paid to covered individuals, as defined in the bill, for family and medical leave. Funding for the program is provided through premiums assessed to employers and employees beginning April 1, 2028. The bill provides that the amount of a benefit is 80 percent of the employee's average weekly net earnings, not to exceed 100 percent of the statewide average weekly net earnings, which amount is required to be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the statewide average weekly wage. The bill caps the duration of paid leave at 12 weeks in any application year and provides self-employed individuals the option of participating in the program. This bill is identical to SB 2.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program in Virginia, administered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC), with benefits set to begin on April 1, 2028, and contributions starting on the same date. The program will provide eligible individuals, referred to as "covered individuals," with up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year for reasons such as caring for a new child, a family member with a serious health condition, or a covered service member, or for the employee's own serious health condition. Benefits will be calculated at 80 percent of an employee's average weekly net earnings, capped at 100 percent of the statewide average weekly net earnings, with this cap adjusted annually. Self-employed individuals will have the option to participate in the program. The program will be funded through premiums paid by both employers and employees, with specific contribution rules for employers based on their number of employees. The bill also includes provisions for job protection, continuation of health benefits during leave, and prohibits retaliatory actions against employees who utilize the program. Additionally, it outlines notice requirements for employers to inform employees of their rights and establishes a system for appeals and enforcement. The VEC is mandated to develop necessary regulations and conduct a public education campaign to inform the public about the program.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Business and Industry
Sponsors (51)
Briana Sewell (D)*,
Bonita Anthony (D),
Alex Askew (D),
Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D),
Gretchen Bulova (D),
Katrina Callsen (D),
Betsy Carr (D),
Stacey Carroll (D),
Laura Jane Cohen (D),
Joshua Cole (D),
Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),
Rae Cousins (D),
Karrie Delaney (D),
Lindsey Dougherty (D),
Mark Downey (D),
Michael Feggans (D),
Margaret Franklin (D),
Debra Gardner (D),
Elizabeth Guzmán (D),
C.E. Hayes (D),
Dan Helmer (D),
J.R. Henson (D),
Phil Hernandez (D),
Charniele Herring (D),
Patrick Hope (D),
Karen Keys-Gamarra (D),
Paul Krizek (D),
Amy Laufer (D),
Destiny LeVere Bolling (D),
Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),
Alfonso Lopez (D),
Fernando Martinez (D),
Adele McClure (D),
Garrett McGuire (D),
Delores McQuinn (D),
Leslie Chambers Mehta (D),
May Nivar (D),
Marcia Price (D),
Atoosa Reaser (D),
Charlie Schmidt (D),
Holly Seibold (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Marcus Simon (D),
Shelly Simonds (D),
Josh Thomas (D),
Virgil Thornton (D),
Luke Torian (D),
Kathy Tran (D),
Jeion Ward (D),
Vivian Watts (D),
Rodney Willett (D),
Last Action
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1093 (effective 7/1/2026) (on 04/22/2026)
Official Document
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