Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
HB 948: Virginia Minimum Wage Act; enforcement, penalties.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 948 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Virginia Minimum Wage Act; enforcement, penalties. Primary sponsor: Michelle Lopes Maldonado. It lists 5 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (February 18, 2026): Left in Labor and Commerce.
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.
Virginia Minimum Wage Act; enforcement; penalties. Provides that an employer that violates provisions relating to minimum wage is liable to the employee for the applicable remedies, damages, penalties, and other relief available in a proceeding brought pursuant to the civil action provisions currently available for the nonpayment of wages. Such provisions currently available provide that an employee may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover payment of the wages, and the court is required to award the wages owed, an additional equal amount as liquidated damages, plus prejudgment interest thereon, and reasonable attorney fees and costs. Under current law, if the court finds that the employer knowingly failed to pay wages to an employee, the court is required to award the employee an amount equal to triple the amount of wages due and reasonable attorney fees and costs. The bill provides that criminal and civil penalties currently applicable to the nonpayment of wages shall apply to an employer that violates the Virginia Minimum Wage Act.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 4
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelle Lopes Maldonado | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Nadarius Clark | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 84 |
| Jackie Glass | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 93 |
| J.R. Henson | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 19 |
| Charlie Schmidt | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Labor and Commerce
- Subcommittee recommends striking from the docket (7-Y 0-N)
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB948)
- Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
- Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/14/2026 6:21 pm)
- Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
- Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101528D