Paid Family and Medical Leave
The Problem
In Virginia, it is estimated that 78% of working people – about 3.4 million workers –have no guarantee that they won’t miss a critical paycheck when they need to take time off to care for themselves or a loved one.
We need to ensure that everyone in Virginia has access to Paid Family and Medical Leave so they can be there when their families need them most. The lack of paid leave exacerbates the state’s economic and care challenges, with devastating costs for Virginians. Without access to paid leave, people — especially women — are forced to leave the labor force to care for their families or health.
The Solution
The Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation would establish a new pooled fund housed at the Virginia Employment Commission that would provide pay if and when you need to take time off. It would also ensure Virginians have affordable paid leave financed by small contributions from employers and employees to fund the program. This will provide a wage replacement of up to 80 percent for up to 12 weeks of leave. This legislation would give workers peace of mind by ensuring their job will be protected while they’re on leave, and they will maintain access to their health coverage.
Legislation for Paid Family and Medical Leave has been a top priority in the General Assembly since 2019. This year, both Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Briana Sewell brought forward Paid Family and Medical Leave bills, with Delegate Sewell’s bill passing both chambers with bipartisan support. The bill was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Hardworking Virginians deserve the freedom to care for a sick loved one or a new baby without worrying about paying their bills. We should respect Virginians’ hard work by ensuring that they can take paid leave.
