(Richmond, VA) -On Wednesday Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger signed news legislation creating a statewide sick leave program for Virginia workers. This will provide sick leave to over one million workers who haven’t previously had access to take time to care for themselves or family for fear of lost wages. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, the new law requires employers to provide workers with one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked — up to five paid sick days per year — and extends these protections to both full-time and part-time employees.

The Governor said of the legislation, “Virginia is making clear that a fair day’s work comes with the dignity of being able to stay home when you are sick or need to care for a sick family member. When working families are forced to come to work when they are sick or choose between caring for a sick child and losing a paycheck, it’s bad for them, their families, their colleagues, and the businesses that depend on healthy, reliable employees.”

The new legislation goes into effect in July of 2027.