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Featured in the photo are Rhena Hicks, Freedom Virginia Co-Executive Director, and Chrischa Ives, Freedom Virginia storyteller, to the left of Sen. Boysko
RICHMOND, Va. — Yesterday, Governor Spanberger signed Paid Family and Medical Leave, SB2, patroned by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax), and HB1207, patroned by Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Woodbridge), into law. With benefits set to begin in 2028, Virginia is the 14th state plus the District of Columbia, notably the first in the South, to establish a Paid Family and Medical Leave program, expanding access to more than 3.5 million Virginians who currently lack access to paid leave.
Paid Family and Medical Leave will ensure that Virginians can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave each year when they need it, such as when a new baby arrives or to recover from a serious illness or injury. Virginians will be eligible for Paid Family and Medical Leave after 120 days of employment. It will provide four weeks of safe leave for survivors of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. It will also expand the definition of family to include extended relatives and “chosen” family. Finally, Virginians who use Paid Family and Medical Leave will receive 80% wage replacement and protection of their health care coverage for the duration of their leave.
“Every parent- every family- knows just how valuable time is when a loved one is ill or experiences an emergency, and unfortunately, anyone who is or has been a caregiver to a chronically ill relative has likely taken a significant financial hit in order to do so,” said Chrischa Ives, an advocate from Virginia Beach who cared for her daughter until her untimely death in 2020 at age 21. “I’ll never forget the first time- nor the last time- my daughter asked me, ‘Can you please stay with me one more day?’ and I had to tell her no. The signing of this bill ensures that so many families like mine won’t have to make the heartbreaking choice between one more day with their loved one and paying for necessities. Here’s to all the families who no longer have to hear the echo of a plea for ‘one more day.’ On behalf of Gabrielle Elizabeth Aldea, we thank you.”
“After eight years, Paid Family and Medical Leave is finally law in Virginia. We’re thankful to the patrons, Senator Boysko and Delegate Sewell, for their commitment to this legislation and to all the advocates who have fought so hard for this moment. We’d also like to thank Governor Spanberger for her leadership in making this a priority since her campaign and signing this legislation into law in her first year in office,” said Rhena Hicks, Freedom Virginia Co-Executive Director. “Our organization has had the honor of working on this legislation for the last four years, and we’re grateful that no one will ever have to choose again between caring for themselves or their loved ones and going to work to ensure they have a paycheck. This is a life-changing program for over 3 million Virginia workers, finally having a guarantee that they don’t have to sacrifice time with their families for financial stability. We are excited for 2028, and the day Virginians will reap the first benefits of Paid Family and Medical Leave.”
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