VirginiaHB13442025 Regular SessionHouse

Employee protection; prohibited retaliation, prohibited nondisclosure & nondisparagement provisions.

Sponsored By: Delores L. McQuinn (Democratic)

Failed

Summary

Employee protection; prohibited retaliation; prohibited nondisclosure and nondisparagement provisions; civil action. Prohibits the inclusion of a provision in any employment contract that has the purpose or effect of concealing illegal activity or activity an employee believes to be unlawful, including unlawful sexual harassment, discrimination, wage theft, and protected whistleblowing, as those terms are described in existing law. Under the bill's provisions, no employer shall discharge or otherwise retaliate against an employee, prospective employee, or independent contractor for disclosing or discussing conduct that such employee reasonably believes to be discrimination, including harassment, retaliation, a wage or hour violation, sexual assault, fraud against taxpayers, shareholders, the government, consumers, or other employees, or other conduct that is against a clear mandate of public policy. An employer that violates the provisions of the bill shall be liable for the greater of actual damages or statutory damages of $10,000, as well as reasonable attorney fees and costs. The bill also requires employers to include in any settlement agreement or employment agreement with an employee a disclaimer that such agreement does not prohibit an employee from disclosing conduct as protected under the bill. The provisions of the bill apply to contracts entered into, renewed, modified, or amended on or after July 1, 2024.

Labor and Commerce

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Delores L. McQuinn

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/8/2024

Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 2/8/2024

Continued to 2025 in Labor and Commerce (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Left in Labor and Commerce

    11/18/2024House
  2. Continued to 2025 in Labor and Commerce (Voice Vote)

    2/8/2024House
  3. Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote)

    2/8/2024House
  4. Impact statement from DPB (HB1344)

    1/26/2024House
  5. Assigned L & C sub: Subcommittee #2

    1/23/2024House
  6. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

    1/12/2024House
  7. Presented and ordered printed 24105208D

    1/12/2024House

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/19/2024

Related Bills

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