Committee advances wide package on worker protections, wage transparency and unemployment changes The House Committee on Labor and Commerce reported a suite of employment bills — including measures to expand apprenticeship access for 16‑year‑olds, ban employer wage‑history inquiries, strengthen anti‑retaliation rules and change unemployment benefit timing — and sent several to Appropriations or incorporated them into larger bills.

Virginia's House Committee just advanced groundbreaking bills aimed at transforming worker protections, wage transparency, and unemployment benefits—are you ready for the changes?

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#VA #WageTransparency #EmploymentReform #VirginiaWorkers #CitizenPortal #WorkerProtections

Subcommittee reports HB5 after hearing mixed testimony on paid sick leave A Virginia subcommittee reported HB5 (paid sick leave) by a 5–1 vote after staff outlined coverage and enforcement costs and witnesses testified for and against; advocates said 1.2 million workers lack paid sick days while tug-boat industry representatives urged an exemption.

A Virginia subcommittee just reported House Bill 5, which could provide paid sick leave for 1.2 million workers, but industry advocates are pushing back for exemptions!

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#VA #VirginiaWorkers #CitizenPortal #HealthCareAccess #LaborRights #EconomicJustice

Senate committee advances package of worker-safety and leave bills, including paid-family-leave vehicle The Senate committee moved a package of labor and safety bills — including a framework for paid family and medical leave, a substitute for paid sick leave, heat-illness workplace standards and a warehouse transparency measure — and sent several items to the Finance Committee for fiscal review.

Virginia lawmakers are taking significant steps to enhance worker protections, including a new plan for paid family leave and heat-illness standards that could reshape workplace safety.

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#VA #SafetyStandards #VirginiaWorkers #EmployeeBenefits #CitizenPortal #WorkplaceProtections

Committee backs substitute requiring state backstop if federal OSHA or FLSA protections are weakened The subcommittee reported a substitute of HB339 that would permit Virginia to adopt prior federal OSHA and FLSA standards if federal agencies weaken protections; unions and safety advocates supported the bill while the Chamber raised a narrow implementation concern later resolved in the substitute.

Virginia takes a stand for worker safety by empowering local agencies to maintain protections even if federal standards are weakened!

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#VA #LaborProtection #RegulatoryAccountability #VirginiaWorkers #WorkplaceSafety #CitizenPortal

Subcommittee reports substitute for HB5 to expand paid sick leave; business groups raise litigation and cost concerns HB5 would guarantee up to five paid sick days annually for most employees, with amendments addressing relief workers and certain state‑licensed behavioral health providers; supporters cited public health and worker stability while business and airline groups warned of litigation exposure and preemption risks. Subcommittee reported the substitute and referred it to appropriations 5–2.

Virginia's HB5 could grant employees up to five paid sick days a year, but business groups are raising red flags about potential litigation risks and federal preemption.

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#VA #PaidLeave #PublicHealth #VirginiaWorkers #CitizenPortal #WorkerRights

Subcommittee approves ban on coercive 'stay-or-pay' contracts with exemptions for tuition repayment HB923 would prohibit employers from enforcing coercive stay-or-pay contracts that require large repayments for leaving employment; amendments create exemptions for bona fide tuition- or credentialing-repayment agreements and lower statutory penalties to $1,000; passed 5-1.

Virginia's House Bill 923 is set to ban coercive "stay-or-pay" contracts, protecting workers from hefty repayment demands while preserving essential tuition repayment programs.

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#VA #EmployeeProtection #LaborRights #WorkplaceFairness #VirginiaWorkers #CitizenPortal