Virginia paid family and medical leave: approved on April 22, 2026 — rate by Oct 1, 2027, contributions by Apr 1, 2028, benefits by Dec 1, 2028
Published Sep 19, 2026
Page updated Oct 10, 2026
Short answer, as of October 8, 2026: Virginia's paid family and medical leave law was approved on April 22, 2026 (2026 Acts of Assembly, Chapters 981 and 1093). It took effect on July 1, 2026. No contribution rate exists yet. The Commissioner fixes the contribution rate no later than Oct 1, 2027. Contributions start by Apr 1, 2028. Claims and benefits start by Dec 1, 2028.
The dates to 2028
| Date | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2026 | The General Assembly passed SB 2 and HB 1207 (conference report) | LIS bill history |
| April 22, 2026 | Both chambers accepted the Governor's amendments at the reconvened session. LIS records "Approved by Governor-Chapter 981 (effective 7/1/2026)". | LIS; Chapter 981 |
| July 1, 2026 | The law took effect | Chapters 981 and 1093 |
| Oct 1, 2027 | Last day for the Commissioner to fix the first contribution rate | Va. Code § 60.2-806 B |
| Jan 1, 2028 | The Commission sets up and administers the program | § 60.2-801 A |
| Apr 1, 2028 | The Commission begins to collect contributions | § 60.2-801 A |
| Dec 1, 2028 | The Commission begins to receive claims and pay benefits | § 60.2-801 A |
The lines from Virginia's Legislative Information System (the vote of March 13, the session of April 22, the chapter numbers and the bill summary) were read on September 18, 2026; every other line of this page was read on October 8, 2026.
The enacted text says: "By December 1, 2028, the Commission shall begin receiving claims and paying family and medical leave benefits to covered individuals."
Why we write "approved", not "passed"
The Virginia Employment Commission's page says that the legislation passed on April 22, 2026. The legislature's record is more exact. The bills passed on March 13, 2026. On April 22, 2026 both chambers concurred in the Governor's recommendation. The chapter text is headed "Approved April 22, 2026". SB 2 is Chapter 981. HB 1207 is Chapter 1093. The two bills are identical.
A wrong date on the legislature's summary
The bill summary on the legislature's site says "benefits beginning April 1, 2028". The enacted text and the Commission's page do not agree with it. April 1, 2028 is the contributions date. Dec 1, 2028 is the benefits date. This site follows the enacted text.
What the law sets for employers
| Item | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | Not fixed yet. Due no later than Oct 1, 2027, then each year. | § 60.2-806 B |
| Small employers | 10 or fewer employees: deduct and remit the employee half (50 percent). Such an employer "shall not be required to make additional contributions". | Chapter 981 |
| Benefit | 80 percent of average weekly wages; minimum $100 | § 60.2-804 |
| Weekly maximum | "100 percent of the state average weekly net earnings, as described in subsection B of § 65.2-500". Adjusted by September 30 each year, from the next January 1. | § 60.2-804 |
| Weeks | Up to 12 weeks a year | Commission's page |
| Private plans | Allowed with the Commission's approval. Benefits must be equal or greater. | § 60.2-816 |
The Commission's page uses simpler words for the cap: the state's average weekly wage. The law's words are "net earnings". We print the law's words. The new Code sections are Va. Code §§ 60.2-800 to 60.2-818.
What is open
- The rate. No percentage exists before Oct 1, 2027.
- The regulations. The Commission's page says they are in development. A notice of intended regulatory action was published on June 15, 2026. Nine listening sessions were announced on July 7, 2026.
Self-employed people may opt in. State employees get "a similar benefit" (Commission's page).
The Virginia board shows each date with its source. The rules by state tool puts Virginia next to the other programs. See also States with paid family leave.
This is a private website, not a government site. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice. Official site: vec.virginia.gov/pfml.
Sources
- Virginia Employment Commission — Paid Family and Medical Leave — checked Oct 8, 2026
- Virginia LIS — 2026 Acts of Assembly, Chapter 981 (SB 2), enacted text — checked Sep 18, 2026
- Virginia LIS — SB 2, bill history — checked Sep 18, 2026
- Virginia LIS — HB 1207, bill history — checked Sep 18, 2026
- Governor of Virginia — release, April 2026 — checked Oct 8, 2026
Frequently asked questions
›When does Virginia paid family leave start?
The enacted text says the Virginia Employment Commission begins to collect contributions by April 1, 2028 and begins to pay benefits by December 1, 2028. The program itself is set up by January 1, 2028.
›What is the Virginia paid family leave contribution rate?
No rate exists yet. The law says the Commissioner fixes the rate no later than October 1, 2027, and each year after that. A percentage printed before that date is an estimate.
›Was the Virginia law passed on April 22, 2026?
Not exactly. The General Assembly passed SB 2 and HB 1207 on March 13, 2026. The law was approved on April 22, 2026 (2026 Acts of Assembly, Chapters 981 and 1093), when both chambers accepted the Governor's amendments. It took effect on July 1, 2026.
›Do small employers pay into Virginia paid family leave?
An employer with 10 or fewer employees deducts the employee half and remits it. The law says such an employer 'shall not be required to make additional contributions'. It still has the payroll duties.
›How much will Virginia paid family leave pay?
80 percent of average weekly wages, with a minimum of $100 a week. The maximum is 100 percent of the state average weekly net earnings. Leave is up to 12 weeks a year.
Private website. Not affiliated with the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Labor or the FAMLI Division. Official site: paidleave.maryland.gov. General information with sources and check dates — not legal, tax or insurance advice. We are not a licensed insurance producer; we do not recommend any agent, insurer or plan, and we receive no commission or fee based on any insurance sale.