HB675
Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Jan. 20, 2026
House: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
Chief Patron:
Michelle Maldonado (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status; civil penalty.
Prohibits an employer, including the Commonwealth and its agencies and political subdivisions, from using coercion or issuing a threat to an employee based on immigration status in furtherance of committing a violation of the Virginia Minimum Wage Act or provisions related to the payment of wages. An aggrieved employee is ... (More) permitted to file a complaint with the Commissioner of Labor and Industry within 180 days of the alleged coercive action or threat. The bill authorizes the Commissioner to investigate such complaints and, if the allegation is substantiated, to impose a civil penalty in the following amounts: (i) up to $5,000 for the first violation, (ii) up to $9,000 for the second violation, and (iii) up to $12,000 for any subsequent violation. The bill also authorizes the Commissioner to seek injunctive relief as may be necessary for enforcement. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103703D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
- 01/20/2026 - House: Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
