Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for a new child or a serious illness

Virginia is creating an insurance program that pays you during leave for major family and health needs. Starting Dec. 1, 2028, eligible workers can take up to 12 weeks a year to bond with a new child, recover from a serious health condition, care for a seriously ill family member, or handle military family needs. Workers seeking safety services after domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, or stalking involving themselves or a family member can take up to four weeks.

The program pays 80% of your average weekly wage, up to a cap tied to the state’s average weekly wage. It’s funded by payroll contributions starting April 1, 2028. Employers with more than 10 employees generally pay half and workers pay half; smaller employers do not pay an employer share. Workers generally must have earned at least $3,000 across two of the previous five calendar quarters; self-employed people can opt in. The Virginia Employment Commission will run the program. Most workers will apply through the commission; workers covered by an approved private employer plan will apply through that plan.

Virginia is the first state in the South to guarantee paid family and medical leave. Sen. Jennifer Boysko and Del. Briana Sewell carried versions in 2024 and 2025, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) vetoed them. Boysko and Sewell carried the 2026 companion bills. Gov. Abigail Spanberger proposed changes that lawmakers accepted on April 22, 2026, which enacted the law, and she held a signing ceremony on May 11.