Virginia has become the first Southern state to adopt a mandatory paid family medical leave insurance program. Read here for more information about employer obligations and employee entitlements under this new law.
Virginia Governor Spanberger Proposes Amendments to Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and Menopause Accommodations Legislation
On April 13, 2026, Governor Spanberger proposed amendments to bills that would expand paid sick leave to nearly all Virginia employees, establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program, and address workplace accommodations related to menopause and perimenopause. The General Assembly will reconvene on April 22 to consider the Governor’s proposed amendments.
Virginia
Virginia Law Mandating Unpaid Organ Donor Leave Goes Into Effect July 2023
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed a law on April 12, 2023 mandating employers provide unpaid organ donor leave. When the law goes into effect on July 1, 2023, Virginia will join nearly 20 other states that require employers to provide medical donor leave.
Under the new law, Virginia employers with at least 50 employees must
New Paid Family Leave Laws Sprout in Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia Region
Both Maryland and Virginia have joined the District of Columbia in enacting laws relating to paid family and medical leave for private-sector workers.
Following in the footsteps of the District of Columbia, the Maryland law will create a mandatory statewide benefit that will be funded by payroll taxes. In contrast, the Virginia law will create
D.C. Employees to Get Paid Leave for COVID-19 Vaccines Well into 2022
D.C.’s new “COVID Vaccination Leave Temporary Amendment Act of 2021” (Temporary Act) will extend employees’ entitlement to paid time off for both COVID-19 vaccination and recovery from any side effects well into 2022. Read more about about employer obligations here.
October Brings Changes to D.C. Universal Paid Leave Law and D.C. Family and Medical Leave Act
The District of Columbia has enacted emergency legislation expanding the District’s Universal Paid Leave Act (UPLA). The legislation takes effect on October 1, 2021, and lasts for no more than 90 days.
In addition, the D.C. Mayor signed legislation to make these changes permanent. That legislation is in its 30-day Congressional review period. The legislation
Make Room on Your Bulletin Board for Virginia’s Notice on Reasonable Accommodations for Disability
The Virginia Office of Civil Rights has issued its new poster for employers regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Starting July 1, 2021, covered Virginia employers must post this poster in a conspicuous location and provide a copy of the poster to any employee who discloses they have a disability, within 10 days of
Virginia Employers Soon Must Adopt, Provide Accommodation Policies to Employees With Disabilities
Starting on July 1, 2021, most Virginia employers must include information in their employee handbooks about reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities and provide that information directly to any employee within 10 days after receiving notice that the employee has a disability. Read more about this new requirement.
Virginia Paid Sick Leave for Home Health Workers
Effective July 1, 2021, Virginia joins the District of Columbia and many other states with paid leave for designated workers (Virginia’s Paid Sick Leave Law), home health workers in this case. Paid sick leave is compensated at the same hourly rate and with the same benefits, including healthcare benefits, as an employee normally
Virginia Expands Disability Discrimination Protections and Adds Domestic Worker Protections
Effective July 1, 2021, Virginia further expands the scope of the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. The state also enacted protections and benefits for domestic workers. Read more about the expanded law and next steps for employers here.