Ella Gilbreath, 5, stands on the stage after Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, left, embraces Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, on Monday before signing a bill that Boysko and Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, right, pushed for. The measure creates a paid family and medical leave program.Â
People look on as Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Ella Gilbreath, 5, stands on the stage as Gov. Abigail Spanberger prepares to sign a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, left, speaks with Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi, during a bill signing event in Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026. Gov. Abigail Spanberger is signing a bill creating a paid family and medical leave program.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger holds up a signed bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
From left, Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger applaud as Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi applauds during a bill signing event in Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026. Gov. Abigail Spanberger is signing a bill creating a paid family and medical leave program.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks Monday in Richmond about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program.
Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger looks on as Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
From left Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Gov. Abigail Spanberger look on as Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger smiles after signing a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, before signing a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks to Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, before signing a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
A reserved sign is seen on the floor following Gov. Abigail Spanberger signing a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, left, embraces Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, before signing a bill that Sewell sponsored, creating a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Perry Gilbreath holds a sign as Gov. Abigail Spanberger signs a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger smiles after signing a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger speaks about a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger is seen last month signing House Bill 217 and Senate Bill 749, which say buying or selling a semiautomatic gun should be a crime, subject to up to 12 months in jail.
Ella Gilbreath, 5, stands on the stage as Gov. Abigail Spanberger prepares to sign a bill that will create a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger, left, prepares to take the stage after greeting Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, and Del. Briana Sewell, D-Prince William, before signing a bill that Boysko and Sewell sponsored, creating a paid family and medical leave program, Richmond, Va., Monday, May 11, 2026.
The legislation says Virginia employees are entitled to 80% of their wages for up to 12 weeks of time off to take care of their families or themselves.
A report by Harvard, Stanford and Dartmouth researchers highlighted five “districts on the rise" in Virginia: Richmond, Charlottesville, Danville, Roanoke County and Smyth County.
