Virginia Poised to Pass Paid Family Leave
Virginia lawmakers are set to establish a paid family and medical leave program after versions of the bill cleared both the House and Senate. The program would provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers to care for a new child or manage a serious health condition. The legislation is now expected to reach Governor Abigail Spanberger’s desk.
- The program will be a state-run insurance fund administered by the Virginia Employment Commission, financed through payroll contributions from both employers and employees beginning January 1, 2028. - When benefits start on January 1, 2029, workers will receive 80% of their average weekly wage, with the total not to exceed 100% of the state's average weekly wage. - This legislation had been passed by the Democratic-controlled state legislature in previous years but was vetoed by former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. - Governor Abigail Spanberger has made the bill a top priority, and the legislation, including Senate Bill 2, passed both chambers on party-line votes. - If signed into law, Virginia will join 13 other states and the District of Columbia in mandating a paid family and medical leave program. - The proposed definition of "family member" is notably broad, extending beyond immediate family to include grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and anyone with a relationship equivalent to family. - The program, which also allows for participation by self-employed individuals, is projected to cost approximately $1.4 billion annually.
