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Panel reports bill to require modest paid sick leave after broad advocacy support and business opposition
Summary
HB 1,921 would require up to 40 hours of earned paid sick leave per year; backers said the policy helps public health and workers, while business groups warned of cost and litigation risks. Committee voted to report and refer to appropriations.
Chairwoman Ward presented HB 1,921, a bill to require employers to provide earned paid sick leave (one hour earned for every 30 hours worked) up to 40 hours per year. Ward said roughly 1.2 million Virginia workers lack any paid sick time and framed the bill as modest and aligned with best practices in other states.
Supporters included labor groups, public-health advocates, and domestic-worker organizations who said paid sick leave reduces disease spread, protects childcare, and helps low-wage workers. Speakers from the Virginia Interfaith Center, UFCW Local 400, Voices for Virginia's Children and others urged enactment.
Opponents from the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Retail Federation and industry groups warned of high employer costs, concerns about a private right of action and litigation risk, and urged reliance on private-market solutions. Airline representatives requested carve-outs for employers governed by the Railway Labor Act.
Chairwoman Ward moved and the committee voted to report HB 1,921 and refer it to appropriations for fiscal review (vote recorded as 4–2). The sponsor noted willingness to negotiate with stakeholders.
Why it matters: Requiring paid sick days affects labor costs, public health, and low-wage workers, and has been adopted by many states and localities nationally.
