Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty.
Passed both chambers Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 675 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. Primary sponsor: Michelle Lopes Maldonado. It lists 20 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Governor's recommendation received by House.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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 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 provides that any such penalty assessed shall be paid to the Commissioner for deposit into the General Fund. The bill also authorizes the Commissioner to seek injunctive relief as may be necessary for enforcement.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 18
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Bonita Anthony | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 92 |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 39 |
| Katrina Callsen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 54 |
| Josh Cole | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 65 |
| Kelly Fowler | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 96 |
| Margaret A. Franklin | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Liz Guzmán | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 22 |
| J.R. Henson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Phil Hernandez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 94 |
| Patrick Hope | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 1 |
| Alfonso Lopez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 3 |
| Adele McClure | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 2 |
| Cia Price | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
| Atoosa Reaser | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| Saddam Salim | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 37 |
| Charlie Schmidt | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Marcus Simon | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 13 |
| Kathy Tran | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 18 |
| Rod Willett | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 58 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Governor's recommendation received by House
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB675)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026
- Signed by Speaker
- Signed by President
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB675ER)
- Enrolled
- Senate substitute with amendment agreed to by House (64-Y 35-N 0-A)
- Passed Senate with substitute with amendment (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute as amended
- Senator Surovell Amendment agreed to
Showing 12 most recent of 40 actions. Full history