The Daily Populous Wednesday March 18th, 2026 morning edition
Authored by virginiainterfaithcenter.org and submitted by sillychillly

Richmond, Va. – Two bills that will provide workers with up to five days of paid sick leave have passed the Virginia General Assembly.(SB 199 and HB 5). The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) led the statewide coalition of advocacy organizations that fought for paid leave for the past eight years, and thanks those partners for helping secure passage of this critical legislation.

1.2 million private sector workers – about 41% of that workforce in Virginia- currently lack access to paid sick leave, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families. This lack of coverage disproportionately impacts low-wage workers, including those in food service and personal care.

This bill will ensure workers across Virginia have access to paid sick days. It establishes a statewide standard requiring employers to provide up to five paid sick days (40 hours) per year, with workers earning one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Part-time workers would also earn paid sick leave based on the hours they work.

Large and small businesses will benefit from this legislation because it helps maintain healthier workplaces and supports employee recruitment and retention.

“Guaranteeing workers a right to paid sick leave is good for Virginia employees, consumers, and ultimately for businesses as well,” said Richmond attorney Paul Falabella.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy believes providing paid sick days for workers is a moral imperative. Patrick Anderson, the owner of a small firm in Alexandria, said, “It makes no sense for someone to come to work ill or worry about a sick loved one. This is not a question of cost, but of morality.”

The Virginia Interfaith Center is advocating for budget amendments 352 #1s, 352 #1h, 352 #3h, and 471 #1h that provide funding for paid sick days. The funds would cover paid sick leave for home care workers and other state employees who need access to paid leave under the new law. The budget amendments would also provide resources for agencies responsible for implementing and enforcing the law.

“We are thrilled that workers will be guaranteed paid time off when they or their family members are sick,” said Ramón Zepeda Ramos, Economic Justice Organizer for VICPP. “This is an issue that will positively impact working families across the Commonwealth and protect the public from the spread of illness.”

Ramón Zepeda Ramos, VICPP Economic Justice Organizer, ramon@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Roberta Oster, Director of Communications, roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org

Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP)is a multi-faith, nonprofit, non-partisan organization with a statewide base

of over 20,000 people of faith and goodwill in every legislative district in Virginia,

working together with hope and focus on a more just society.

IsraelZulu on March 17th, 2026 at 18:45 UTC »

Is this dedicated sick leave, in addition to vacation time? Or can employers get away with saying "we already give 3 weeks PTO per year, and they can use that as sick time if they want"?

Because having dedicated sick leave is very different from getting a bucket of all-purpose PTO.

Subject_Customer3254 on March 17th, 2026 at 18:19 UTC »

You see what happens when the GOP doesn't have control? Laws that benefit the working public.

sillychillly on March 17th, 2026 at 18:19 UTC »

"This bill will ensure workers across Virginia have access to paid sick days. It establishes a statewide standard requiring employers to provide up to five paid sick days (40 hours) per year, with workers earning one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Part-time workers would also earn paid sick leave based on the hours they work."

.

Also, to zero in on a specific example of why sick leave is necessary:

Selfishly, when we go to restaurants, who wants to even think that the cooks or wait staff could be sick?