WatchGov

Virginia bills · 2026 Regular Session

Virginia HB 923

Protection of employees; stay or pay contracts prohibited, civil penalty.

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To Governor
  6. Became law

Sponsors

Summary

Official abstract published by the Virginia legislature· SUMMARY AS PASSED HOUSE

Protection of employees; stay or pay contracts prohibited; civil penalty. Prohibits an employer from entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce a stay or pay contract, as defined in the bill, with any employee, with certain exceptions described. An employer that violates the bill's provisions is subject to a civil penalty of $1,000. The bill allows an employee to bring a civil action against an employer or other person that attempts to enforce a stay or pay contract and to seek appropriate relief, including enjoining the conduct of any person or employer, ordering payment of liquidated damages, and awarding lost compensation, damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs. The bill provides that if the court finds a violation of the bill's provisions, the plaintiff is entitled to recover reasonable costs, including reasonable fees for expert witnesses, and attorney fees.

Text versions

Roll-call votes

State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 4:38 PM.

DateVoteResultYour legislators
Mar 9, 2026
Senate		Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitutefailSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 9, 2026
House		H VOTE:passSet your home in Virginia to see
Feb 3, 2026
House		Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s)passSet your home in Virginia to see
Jan 29, 2026
House		Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s)passSet your home in Virginia to see

Actions