The new laws include protections against wage theft and noncompete agreements.
To many, Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s veto of this year’s public-sector collective bargaining legislation marked a setback for workers in Virginia. But the Democratic governor also enacted bills that went into effect this month aimed at bolstering workers’ rights.
In a statement to Dogwood, Spanberger said she was proud to work with the General Assembly to raise the minimum wage, crack down on wage theft, and require pay transparency.
“We are also laying the groundwork for the Commonwealth’s landmark paid family and medical leave program, making sure that millions of Virginians can welcome a child or care for themselves or a loved one without giving up their paychecks,” Spanberger said. “As President Trump’s actions create chaos and uncertainty, I will continue working with the General Assembly to lower costs, expand economic opportunity, and provide Virginians with the steady leadership they deserve.”
Among the new laws that went into effect July 1 is a bill giving the state more tools to prevent wage theft.
The goal of the new law is to make sure employers are paying their workers as required under state minimum wage and overtime laws.
State Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington) sponsored the legislation, which also helps workers hold their bosses accountable for wage theft and extends overtime protections to home care workers.
“Every year, workers across Virginia are denied legally owed wages, but our current system prevents strong enforcement,” Lopez said in an April Instagram post. “I am proud that the Governor signed this bill to provide the tools we need to better enforce existing wage laws, and help protect exploited workers.”
Another new law aims to protect workers regardless of their immigration status. The law prohibits employers from using someone’s immigration status to make them do things they have a legal right to refuse, intimidate them, or steal their wages.
“For too long, unscrupulous employers have weaponized immigration status to keep workers silent and underpaid,” Luis Aguilar, director of Virginia’s We Are CASA said in a May statement. “This law sends a clear message: every worker in Virginia deserves dignity, fair pay, and protection from intimidation.”
Workers threatened by bosses over their immigration status can now file a complaint with Virginia’s Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI). If an investigation confirms the claims against them, employers can face fines of up to $5,000 for the first violation, up to $9,000 for the second violation, and up to $12,000 for subsequent violations.
Another new law Spanberger enacted prevents employers from making healthcare workers sign noncompete agreements that prevent them from accepting another job in the healthcare field. Healthcare employers who get caught doing so are subject to a $10,000 fine under the new law, which applies only to employment agreements made after July 1.
Other laws meant to protect workers that went into effect this month include one that makes it illegal for companies to seek out job applicants’ wage or salary histories and requires employers to include salary information in their job listings; and another that prohibits people from getting fired or punished at their day jobs when they miss work to serve as volunteer emergency responders.
“These new laws expand opportunities and reinforce the protections that Virginia’s workers deserve,” DOLI Commissioner James Frederick said in a statement this month. “These changes help us to ensure that Virginia remains a great place to live, work and do business.”
This story was updated after publishing to include comments from Gov. Abigail Spanberger.
