Richmond—Workers and advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating today as HB5, legislation sponsored by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler that guarantees paid sick days for working Virginians, passed the Virginia House of Delegates on a vote of 65-35. When working people get sick, far too many are forced into an impossible decision: go to work sick and risk their own health and the public’s health, or stay home and lose crucial wages. By passing HB5 in the House of Delegates, the legislature has provided strong momentum to address this long-standing gap in workplace protections. The bill will now crossover to the Senate for a vote.
“Passage of HB5 in the House of Delegates marks real progress for working families across Virginia,” said Ashleigh Crocker, Interim Executive Director of Progress Virginia. “Access to paid sick leave is a basic protection for workers. People should not be forced to choose between their health, caring for a loved one, and paying their bills. This bill will make a significant impact on families in our community, especially Black and Brown women who carry a disproportionate share of caregiving work. We are ready to keep fighting for HB5 as it moves through crossover and to the Governor’s desk.”
Background:
- The bill would require all employers to provide five paid sick days (40 hours) each year for full-time workers that can be used for themselves or to care for sick family members.
- 76% of Virginians currently have no access to paid leave
- 61% of Virginians cannot even access unpaid leave to recover from an illness or care for a sick family member.
- Recent polling suggests that 85% of voters support paid leave policies.