Virginia’s 2026 legislative session brought a familiar refrain: Many of the same employment bills we’ve tracked in the last few years returned for another attempt. It also delivered some brand new bills that employers should not ignore. Whether vetoed, passed, or positioned for future success, the bills highlighted below collectively signal the future in Virginia employment law—more expansive rights for employees.

1. New Protected Classes Are Coming with Menopause as the Headline

SB 258/HB 1173 is set to expand the Virginia Human Rights Act (VHRA) to protect employees experiencing menopause or perimenopause.

If enacted, this bill would:

• Prohibit discrimination based on menopause/perimenopause
• Require reasonable accommodations
• Create an immediate private right of action with a two‑year statute of limitations
• Charge the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Health to study these conditions in the workforce and recommend best practices for accommodations

Takeaway: Employers should start viewing menopause-related issues through the same compliance lens as pregnancy, disability, and age—even before this bill becomes law. This means getting curious if symptoms of perimenopause or menopause start to affect an employee’s performance. Employers should bookmark and reference the federal Job Accommodation Network for accommodation ideas.

2. Minimum Wage Increases Are a Near Certainty

The General Assembly again proposed stepped minimum wage increases under HB...

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