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RICHMOND, Va. — Today, for the first time ever, the House of Delegates passed a bill to establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. Senator Jennifer Boysko’s (D-Fairfax) Senate Bill 373 passed on a 50-46 vote today.
An earlier version passed the Senate on February 13. The amended House-passed version now heads to the Senate for final consideration.
Today’s vote on this issue, which has been championed this session by Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Del. Briana Sewell (D-Prince William), represents a historic step forward for the fight to ensure all Virginians have access to paid leave.
The bill would create a state-administered insurance program to ensure a covered employee can receive paid time off to care for themselves or a family member in the event of an extended illness or serious injury. The bill would also allow parents to take time off to welcome a new baby.
Every day across the Commonwealth, 78% of workers in Virginia –nearly 3.4 million people – have no guarantee that they won’t miss a critical paycheck while caring for themselves or their families. This legislation corrects that injustice while also making Virginia’s economy more globally competitive, more productive, healthier, and more resilient.
This marks the first time that a statewide paid family and medical leave program has passed the House and Senate. Under last year’s Republican House majority, this proposal failed to get through the Virginia House of Delegates.
“After six years of championing this issue, I’m proud that this bill has made it further than ever,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax). “For too long, Republican lawmakers have sided with wealthy special interests to defeat this proposal and leave millions of workers to choose between receiving a paycheck and caring for themselves or a loved one. Now it’s time for Governor Youngkin to show he cares about creating an economy that works for everyone.”
“When we talk about being family-friendly in Virginia, we mean that every job should come with the dignity of not having to choose between showing up for a sick family member and keeping the lights on,” said Speaker Don Scott. “With the passage of today’s bill, we’re a step closer to enshrining that support for all hardworking Virginia families. This means that all families will be able to afford to stay home and care for their new babies, elderly family members, or sick spouses. As we move through the last weeks of this session, we will continue to fight for legislation to help all working families.”
“I have been in the fight for paid family and medical leave for many years, as both an advocate and lawmaker sponsoring the legislation in each of my terms in elected office,” said Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William). “I am so proud to have helped make this historic moment a reality. Sending this bill to the governor’s desk is a win for every Virginian. No one should have to make the impossible decision between caring for a loved one and losing a paycheck.”
“This bill is an opportunity to help families meet rising costs in their time of need, which Governor Youngkin should support,” said Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “No worker should lose a salary to care for a family member for a few weeks in an emergency. Governor Youngkin has an opportunity to stand with hardworking families and turn this bill into law.”
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