Virginia workers will earn up to 5 paid sick days a year

Starting in 2027, most Virginia workers will earn paid sick time just by working. You get one hour for every 30 hours you work, up to 40 hours a year, which is about five days. Part-time workers earn it too, although certain health-care and railroad workers are exempt. You can use it when you’re sick, for checkups, to care for a sick family member, or to deal with domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. You’re paid your regular rate, and your boss can’t make you find someone to cover your shift. Unused hours carry over to the next year.

You don’t have to apply. Employers whose existing paid-leave policies meet the law’s amount, uses, and conditions don’t have to add separate sick leave. The law starts with employers that have 50 or more workers on July 1, 2027. Employers with 25 or more follow in January 2028, and covered employers of every size are included by January 2029. Before this, Virginia required paid sick leave only for certain home health workers.

Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler of Virginia Beach carried HB 5, and Sen. Barbara Favola carried the matching Senate bill, which she had pushed for three years. Earlier versions failed in 2020 under Gov. Ralph Northam, and Gov. Glenn Youngkin didn’t sign later ones. This time the House passed the bill 63–35, over objections from business groups. Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed it on May 20, 2026, after lawmakers rejected her proposed changes.