RICHMOND, Va. (CN)—Democratic lawmakers and advocates took to a press podium Thursday to urge Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to sign paid family and medical leave legislation.
Dr. Shannon Weatherford said she has seen her fair share of horror stories from mothers choosing between seeking medical care and working. The Richmond area OB-GYN shared the story of a woman who was her family's sole provider and decided to continue working rather than seeking medical attention.
"She died at work, in the basement, right after clocking in for her shift," Weatherford said. "I, or any other obstetrician, could have easily prevented this tragedy with basic and readily available health care, but what I couldn't provide her was the assurance that she and her family wouldn't be evicted from her apartment if she couldn't go to work."
Democrats, with control of both chambers of the General Assembly, passed the policy on party-line votes. The bill's chief patron, State Senator Jennifer Boysko, has carried the legislation since 2019. The bill failed to make it out of a subcommittee last session when Republicans controlled the House of Delegates.
Should Youngkin sign the bill into law, the Virginia Employment Commission would start collecting contributions for a fund in 2026. In 2027, they would begin receiving claims and paying family and medical leave benefits to people who qualify.
"This is a significant step forward in Virginia, which has been woefully behind the rest of the world when it comes to supporting workers and their families," Boysko said.
In addition to those with severe health conditions, covered employees include those caring for a new child during the first year after birth or adoption and those caring for a family member with a serious health condition. Employees are eligible for up to eight weeks of paid leave.
According to Freedom Virginia, the amount paid to workers while they are away will vary depending on income but will typically be 80% of the worker's regular pay. Employers with more than 10 workers would split the cost of premiums paid to the fund 50-50 with their employees.
Self-employed Richmond area business consultant Katina Moss took significant time off work to care for her mother, who was recovering from the removal of a tumor on her spinal cord.
"I was forced to choose between my paycheck and my mother," Moss said. "And like many daughters who would move heaven and earth for their mothers, I made the easy choice to prioritize my mom."
The choice didn't come without consequences, as Moss raked in no money during her caregiving time.
"When you are self-employed, lost time is lost money," Moss said. "The choice cost me money because I, like millions of other workers across Virginia, do not have access to a paid family and medical leave program."
According to labor statistics pulled by the National Partnership for Women and Families, 78% of Virginia workers, roughly 3.4 million, are without paid leave. For an employee earning $50,000 per year, the employer and employee would each pay an estimated $4.57 per week into the fund.
Delegate Brianna Sewell, who introduced the House version of the bill, says women of color are particularly vulnerable.
"Latina and Black women are disproportionately affected as they face a higher probability for both working a job that lacks benefits and serving as a caregiver for a family member," Sewell said.
The United States is the only country the World Bank considers high-income that doesn't provide paid maternity leave. If women in Virginia participated in the labor force at the same rate as women in countries with paid leave, there would be an estimated 73,000 additional workers in the state and $2.7 billion more wages earned statewide, according to the women's and families' advocacy group.
The passed bill didn't come without concessions from Democrats. The policy initially allowed 12 weeks of paid leave and included state and local government employees. Boysko said, however, that the Commonwealth already has substantial employee leave policies.
With the start date not slated until 2027, Republican lawmakers could kill the policy in a future legislative session should they gain control of the legislature.
"All of us can think of times we needed help," Boysko said. Asked about Republicans potentially changing course, she said: "I think that would be a bad idea."
A survey conducted in California by the Center for Economic and Policy Research, among others, showed that 89% of employers, especially those of small businesses, report that paid leave had either a positive or no noticeable effect on productivity. The survey also found that 99% of employers saw an increase or no noticeable effect on employee morale.
The estimated start-up cost of administrating the insurance fund would be $70 million in 2025. In the following years, it will cost the Commonwealth $33.5 annually to maintain the fund with the help of 250 full-time employees. Once employers start paying for the fund, the state anticipates receiving over $1 billion annually.
Youngkin has yet to comment on which bills he would veto should they reach his desk. With the session ending on Saturday, Youngkin has 30 days after adjournment to consider what legislation to pass, veto or propose amendments.
"He always talks about making sure parents matter," Boysko said. "This is a way for him to put his money where his mouth is."
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