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From left: Katina Moss of Richmond, Delegate Briana Sewell, Senator Jennifer Boysko, Freedom Virginia Executive Director Rhena Hicks, Richmond-area OB/GYN Dr. Shannon Weatherford, and Care in Action Virginia State Director Yanet Limon-Amado.
Watch the Press Conference HERE.
View high-resolution photos from the event HERE.
RICHMOND, Va. – Following the historic passage of Senate Bill 373, which would establish a landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance program in Virginia, legislative champions joined impacted Virginians on Thurdsay to call on Gov. Glenn Youngkin to sign this critical legislation for hardworking families.
The legislation, championed by Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax) and Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William), would create a state-administered insurance program ensuring covered employees can receive up to eight weeks of paid time off for personal or family health needs, addressing a critical gap affecting 78% of Virginia workers. It would give nearly 3.4 million Virginians access to paid leave.
“Governor Youngkin has threatened to veto this legislation,” said President Pro Tempore of the Senate Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who is a chief co-patron of the bill. “He ran on family values and he wants to deny legislation that would help mothers and families in their time of extreme need. We need this legislation and — good news for him — this bill helps businesses just as much as it helps Virginians.”
“Governor Youngkin has made supporting parents and families a cornerstone of his administration and even spoke at his budget speech in December about the need to help Virginia’s women return to the workforce,” said Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), who is a chief co-patron of the bill. “I hope he puts his pen where his mouth is and joins my colleagues in the General Assembly in signing Paid Family and Medical Leave into law .”
“This legislation is a historic step forward for hardworking Virginians across our commonwealth,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax). “After six years of working on this bill, I am proud to stand with my colleagues to see it pass the General Assembly. This bill has always been about ensuring that every Virginian – from a janitor to a CEO – has the economic security they need to care for themselves and their family.”
House Appropriations Chair Luke Torian (D-Prince William) said, “Millions of hardworking Virginia families and people will experience life-changing benefits through this legislation. It not only grants workers access to paid leave but also provides support to small business owners, enabling them to offer this leave to their employees and compete with larger corporations who already offer this benefit. This legislation is good for both workers and businesses alike.”
“The time is now to make paid family and medical leave a reality in the Commonwealth,” said Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William). “The ability to access paid leave for family and medical matters is crucial to maintaining an individual’s attachment to the workforce, promoting the efficient use of health services, and facilitating a prompt return to work. Latina and Black women are disproportionately affected as they face a higher probability of both working a job that lacks benefits and serving as a caregiver for a family member.”
“Women carry the burden of caregiving,” said Dr. Shannon Weatherford, a Richmond-area OB/GYN. “So let’s care for them by supporting this bill for Paid Family and Medical Leave. The benefits would last a lifetime. I hope Governor Youngkin can hear my message, and the message of health care professionals across the Commonwealth, and sign this bill into law.”
“Today we gather to thank legislative champions who made historic decisions to pass a strong paid leave and medical leave program in Virginia that will empower millions of workers and their families to make time and be able to take care of their loved ones,” said Yanet Limon-Amado, Executive Director of Care in Action. “Especially as the daughter of a domestic worker, who has to see her work every day without any paid leave. My mother currently does not have any access to that. I see her deteriorating, her hands hurt every time she has to go into a house. For me to see that, I think this is a very strong momentum for what Virginia could look like for the working class.”
“A few years ago, my mother spent two months in the hospital where she underwent three surgeries due to having a tumor removed from her spinal cord … so, I became a primary caregiver for my mother during and after her hospitalization,” said Katina Moss of Richmond. “But when you are self-employed, lost time is lost money. I was forced to choose between my paycheck and my mother. And like many daughters who would move heaven and earth for their mothers, I made the easy choice to prioritize my mom. That choice cost me money because I, like millions of other workers across Virginia, do not have access to a Paid Family and Medical Leave program.”
The legislation allows self-employed individuals to buy into the state insurance plan.
“We support this legislation because we believe in a fair and affordable economy where you have the opportunity to thrive,” said Rhena Hicks, Executive Director of Freedom Virgina. “Freedom Virginia calls on Governor Youngkin to sign this legislation.”
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