CLASP Celebrates Important Paid Family and Medical Leave Win for Virginia Workers
This statement can be attributed to Wendy Chun-Hoon, president and executive director of the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
Washington, D.C., April 22, 2026 – Today, Virginia made history as the first Southern state to pass and codify into law comprehensive paid family and medical leave for its workers.
The product of years of advocacy by the Virginia Paid Family and Medical Leave Coalition, this law will ensure that nearly all Virginia workers have access to vital paid time off to care for themselves or a loved one. With this program, workers in the Commonwealth will retain an estimated $1.3 billion in wages each year instead of losing critical income in times of need. These essential funds are key for workers and families, helping them afford their basic needs and expenses as prices continue to rise.
Through our role facilitating the Paid Leave Administrators’ Network, CLASP has seen firsthand how the collaborative spirit of state government administrators positively impacts working families across the country. The network demonstrated a strong willingness to share lessons learned in launching and implementing prior state paid leave programs with Virginia’s incoming administrators. Our experience in Virginia shows what a government that prioritizes care can look like: one that is collaborative, generous, and forward-thinking.
