NEW VIRGINIA LAWS • Effective July 1

What changes for Virginia businesses on July 1

A plain-language briefing on the most significant employment law update since 2020 — pay transparency, noncompete restrictions, expanded discrimination protections, heat illness standards, and more.

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The three you need to plan for

What’s coming over the next three years

Paid Sick Leave

Phased 2027-2029

Up to 40 hours per year for nearly every Virginia employee, accrued at one hour per 30 worked. Starts July 2027 for employers with 50+, phases down to all employers by January 2029.

Paid family and medical leave

Benefits December 2028

A new state insurance program providing up to 12 weeks at 80% of average weekly wage. Premium contributions begin April 2028; benefits begin December 2028. Virginia becomes the first Southern state with statewide PFML.

Minimum wage increases

Phased 2027-2029

Rising to $13.75 in January 2027, $15.00 in January 2028, then CPI-indexed annually starting 2029. Plan payroll budgets accordingly.

What’s changing

Five changes take effect July 1, 2026

Pay transparency

Salary ranges required in job postings

Noncompete restrictions

New limits after without-cause terminations

Discrimination protections

VHRA now applies to employers with 5+

Food allergy notice

New posting requirement for restaurants

Heat illness prevention

New workplace safety obligations on the way

Plus phased changes coming 2027–2029: paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and minimum wage increases.

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Why InUnison Tracks This

InUnison is Richmond’s membership organization for local independent businesses. Through our partnership with the Virginia Retail Federation, we follow every bill that touches our members from pre-file through enactment — and we translate it into plain language, like this.