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Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 170: Protection of employees; covenants not to compete, discharged employees.

Enacted Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 170 is a bill introduced in the Virginia Senate on January 8, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Protection of employees; covenants not to compete, discharged employees. Primary sponsor: Jeremy McPike (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 13, 2026): Approved by Governor-Chapter 883 (effective 7/1/2026).

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; covenants not to compete; discharged employees. Provides that no covenant not to compete, as such term is defined in existing law, between an employer and an employee is enforceable if such employer discharges such employee from employment without providing severance benefits or other monetary payment to such employee that is disclosed upon execution of the covenant not to compete, unless the employee is discharged for cause. This bill incorporates SB 569.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Jeremy McPikePrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate29

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Approved by Governor-Chapter 883 (effective 7/1/2026)
  2. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
  3. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
  4. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)
  5. Signed by President
  6. Signed by Speaker
  7. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB170ER)
  8. Enrolled
  9. Passed House (87-Y 12-N 0-A)
  10. Read third time
  11. Read second time
  12. Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 4-N)

Showing 12 most recent of 36 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source