The Labor and Commerce subcommittee of the Virginia government convened on January 28, 2025, to discuss a series of bills aimed at enhancing workplace protections and employee rights. The meeting, chaired by Delegate Henson, covered multiple legislative proposals, each addressing critical issues in labor and employment.

The first item on the agenda was House Bill 19, which mandates that employers with 100 or more employees develop a workplace violence policy by January 1, 2026. This policy must include procedures for reporting incidents and conducting post-incident investigations. Employers failing to comply may face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. The bill passed with a vote of 11 to 7.

Next, House Bill 1921 was introduced, expanding paid sick leave provisions to all employees of private employers and state and local governments. This bill allows employees to use sick leave for various personal and family health needs, including situations related to domestic abuse. It also includes penalties for employers who violate these provisions. The bill was reported and referred to appropriations with a vote of 12 to 9.

The subcommittee then discussed House Bill 1980, which focuses on heat illness prevention in high hazard industries. The bill requires the establishment of regulations to protect employees from heat-related illnesses and mandates a reassessment of high hazard industries every five years. It passed as amended with a vote of 12 to 9.

House Bill 2098, concerning labor and employment provisions, was also reviewed. This bill clarifies definitions related to public bodies and payment of wages, and it passed with a vote of 12 to 9.

Delegate Kees Gamara presented House Bill 2135, which proposes an unemployment compensation allowance for dependents. Eligible claimants would receive an additional $25 per dependent, with the bill passing 12 to 9 for reporting and referral to appropriations.

House Bill 2356, introduced by Delegate Mundon King, addresses prevailing wage rates for public service companies and requires a certain percentage of labor hours to be performed by qualified apprentices. This bill also passed with a vote of 12 to 9.

The subcommittee then reviewed House Bill 2401, which mandates compensation for children under 16 engaged in content creation. The bill requires content creators to set aside earnings in trust accounts for these children, passing with a vote of 11 to 9.

House Bill 2469, concerning overtime pay for domestic workers, was also discussed and passed with a vote of 11 to 9.

Delegate Sewell's House Bill 2531 aims to establish a paid family and medical leave insurance program, with benefits starting in 2028. The program will be funded through premiums from employers and employees, and it passed with a vote of 11 to 9.

House Bill 2561, which addresses employee protections regarding minimum wage and overtime, was presented next. This bill increases the time frame for filing discrimination complaints and passed with a vote of 12 to 9.

Finally, Delegate Helmer's House Bill 2619 requires private companies providing public transportation services to offer compensation and benefits equivalent to those of public employees. This bill was also reported with a vote of 5 to 2.

The meeting concluded with a series of bills advancing to further legislative processes, reflecting a commitment to improving labor standards and employee protections in Virginia.