On April 13, 2026, Governor Spanberger proposed amendments to bills that would expand paid sick leave to nearly all Virginia employees, establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program, and address workplace accommodations related to menopause and perimenopause. The General Assembly will reconvene on April 22 to consider the Governor’s proposed amendments.

Link to Virginia Paid Sick Leave Expansion Virginia Paid Sick Leave Expansion

Virginia is on the verge of expanding paid sick leave to cover all employees, beyond home health care workers. However, rather than signing the bill as passed, Governor Spanberger proposed amendments to HB 5 that, among other things, clarify key definitions—including “employee” and “family member”—address leave advances, and expand the permissible uses of leave to include an employee’s need for preventive medical care.

Governor Spanberger also proposed amendments to SB 2, which would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program. These amendments, among other things, clarify the definition of a “family member,” expand the definition of “safety services,” and clarify certification and job restoration requirements.

Link to Menopause and Perimenopause Accommodations Under the VHRA Menopause and Perimenopause Accommodations Under the VHRA

Finally, Governor Spanberger proposed a substitute bill that would eliminate the language in HB 1173 adding menopause and perimenopause as protected categories under the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) and requiring related workplace accommodations. Instead, the proposed substitute bill directs the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to conduct a study on menopause and perimenopause in the workforce.

Jackson Lewis attorneys will closely monitor how the Virginia General Assembly responds to the Governor’s proposals when it reconvenes later this month. If you have questions about what these developments may mean for your business, please contact a Jackson Lewis attorney.

(Law graduate Nina Bundy contributed to this article.)

Photo of Alyson J. Guyan Alyson J. Guyan

Alyson J. Guyan is a principal in the Washington, D.C. Region office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents corporations and other entities in a wide variety of employment, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour matters.

Aly advises and represents employers in a broad…

Alyson J. Guyan is a principal in the Washington, D.C. Region office of Jackson Lewis P.C. She represents corporations and other entities in a wide variety of employment, discrimination, harassment, and wage and hour matters.

Aly advises and represents employers in a broad range of employment law matters arising under federal and state law, including claims based on the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also works on administrative matters before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, as well as state agencies. As part of her counseling practice, Aly provides daily advice and training to management to help employers avoid litigation. She regularly advises employers on various employment-related issues, including hiring, performance management, leave, compensation, termination, employment contracts, personnel policies and handbooks.

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