The Shadow
Virginia is the First State in the South to a Create Paid Family & Medical Leave Program, Benefiting More Than 3 Million Virginia Workers
Spanberger: “Together, Our Work Is Delivering Results for Working Families Across the Commonwealth”
MANASSAS, VA (VR) — Governor Abigail Spanberger yesterday hosted a roundtable with Virginia workers, state leaders, and union members to discuss the implementation of landmark new laws guaranteeing paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave for Virginia workers — and highlighted the difference the new laws will make for families across the Commonwealth.
At IBEW Local 26 Union Hall in Manassas, Governor Spanberger championed legislation she signed into law earlier this year — patroned by Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Briana Sewell — that makes Virginia the first state in the South to establish a paid family and medical leave program. Thanks to this new law, more than three million hardworking Virginians will gain the right to take up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave to welcome a new child, care for a loved one, or recover from illnesses without sacrificing their pay.
“A paycheck should not stand in the way of Virginians being able to spend time with their loved ones, whether to care for a new child, recover from a serious illness, or tend to a family member in need,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “I was honored to be given the opportunity to listen to voices of hardworking Virginians today at IBEW Local 26 as we continue to work together to build a stronger Commonwealth for all workers.”
Governor Spanberger continued, “Virginia’s economic success has always come from two core priorities: supporting working families and making sure businesses can thrive in our Commonwealth. Today’s discussion exemplifies that. Together, our work is delivering results for working families across the Commonwealth. That’s what today is about — hearing directly from the people these laws were built for, so we get the implementation right.”
Beginning in 2028, most Virginia workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for significant life events. These events include caring for a new child, recovering from a serious illness, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or meeting the unique needs of military families. Under the law, Virginians will receive approximately 80 percent of their average weekly wage, capped at 100 percent of the state’s average weekly wage. Currently, the average Virginia worker who takes four weeks of unpaid leave loses more than $3,600 in income.
The law also guarantees that workers who take paid leave have the right to return to their jobs — keeping working parents across Virginia attached to good jobs and closing loopholes in federal law that leave almost half of workers nationwide at risk of losing their job if they take family or medical leave. Virginia’s paid family and medical leave program will be administered through the Virginia Employment Commission. Self-employed Virginians will have the option to enroll in the program, and Virginia businesses will be able to continue offering private paid family and medical leave plans that meet minimum requirements under the new law.
Governor Spanberger was joined by Secretary of Labor Jessica Looman, Senator Jennifer Boysko, and Delegate Briana Sewell.
“Thanks to this legislation, Virginia workers will no longer have to choose between caring for a sick family member and paying their bills. New parents won’t have to rush back to work weeks after having a new child, because they can’t afford unpaid parental leave,” said Secretary of Labor Jessica K. Looman. “This Labor Day, we are proud to celebrate the ways that the Spanberger Administration is delivering for working families across Virginia — and the workers and unions who have fought for these gains for years.”
“I’m grateful to hear from Virginians today about the challenges they face as working parents and caregivers — and I’m thrilled to know the peace of mind our new paid family and medical leave law will offer to these families and so many others across our Commonwealth,” said Senator Jennifer B. Boysko. “Paid family and medical leave will give working Virginians the breathing room they need to put their families first during life’s most important moments while they can still keep their households financially secure.”
“By supporting working families, we are making an investment in the strength of our entire Commonwealth,” said Delegate Briana Sewell. “When employees have the security to care for themselves and their loved ones, families are healthier, communities are more resilient, and businesses benefit from a stronger workforce. I was proud to partner with Senator Boysko to lead this effort in the General Assembly, and I am proud to join with Governor Spanberger to celebrate this win for families in every corner of Virginia.”
Governor Spanberger was also joined by Virginians who shared their stories of needing paid family and medical leave and paid sick leave to care for themselves and their family members.
“While I provide support to my employees to take the time they need for their aging parents, their sick children, and other life situations, not all employers do. This is why laws like Virginia’s paid family and medical leave are so important,” said small business owner Sarah Hitchcock Burzio. “I’m proud of what Governor Spanberger, Delegate Sewell, and Senator Boysko are doing to make Virginia and Prince William County a better place for families to actually take care of each other.”
“Life doesn’t stop when something unexpected happens,” said UFCW Local 400 member Toni Gonzalez. “When you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one, your own health, or caring for a family member, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether you can afford to take the time you need. We shouldn’t have to choose — especially when we are at our most vulnerable.”
The Governor also celebrated Virginia’s new paid sick leave law. Beginning in 2027, full- and part-time workers will be able to access one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked — up to five paid sick days per year.
Currently, approximately 1.2 million private-sector workers — more than a third of Virginia’s private-sector workforce — lack access to paid sick leave. This gap disproportionately affects low-wage workers, including those in food service and personal care. The new program has a phased implementation based on employer size, ultimately reaching workers across employer sizes and ensuring that all Virginians have the basic protection of paid sick days.
