FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (LINK TO PDF)
February 26, 2021
Virginia Legislature Votes to Expand Paid Sick Days for the First Time
to cover 30,000+ Home Health Care Workers
Advocates Consider this a Key Step toward Expanding Paid Sick Days for all Virginians
RICHMOND, Va – Today the House of Delegates by a vote of 54-44, voted to support providing more than 30,000 home health care workers with paid sick days starting July 1, 2021. The bill requires employers to provide 5 paid sick days per year to home health care workers in Virginia. The bill, an amended version of Del. Elizabeth Guzman’s HB 2137 which passed the Senate yesterday, is now headed to the Governor’s desk for signature.
“The Virginians for Paid Sick Days coalition members are grateful to the thousands of advocates who demanded action on this issue and to the legislative leaders who voted for our health and our economy. This is a key first step to ensuring that all Virginians have access to paid sick days,” said Kim Bobo, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a member of the Virginians for Paid Sick Days coalition. “This marks the first paid sick days bill to pass out of the General Assembly. We’re thrilled to see 30,000 hard-working home health care workers on their way to receiving paid sick days. And we look forward to continuing the fight to pass paid sick days for all Virginia workers.”
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LINK TO PREVIOUS NEWS RELEASE WITH QUOTES
MEDIA CONTACTS
Roberta Oster
Communications Director
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org804-615-4192
Jared Leopold
jared@leopoldstrategies.com, 610-213-9238