# Virginia SB485: Employee protections; employer-sponsored meetings on political matters, civil action.

Virginia SB485, Employee protections; employer-sponsored meetings on political matters, civil action., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (Democratic); status failed, last action 2024-11-18 (Left in Commerce and Labor) (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB485-2025
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB485
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Employee protections; employer-sponsored meetings on political matters, civil action.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2024-01-09
- Last action: 2024-11-18, Left in Commerce and Labor
- Sponsor: Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (15 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Employee protections; employer-sponsored meetings on political matters; civil action. Prohibits an employer from retaliating against an employee (i) because such employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or receive an employer's communications conveying an opinion about political matters, as defined in the bill; (ii) as a means of inducing an employee's attendance at such meeting or receipt of such communications; or (iii) because the employee reports a suspected violation of the bill's provisions. The bill permits an employee alleging a violation of the bill's provisions to bring an action in civil court within 90 days after such violation occurs for appropriate relief, including injunctive relief, reinstatement, compensation for lost wages, benefits, and other remuneration, interest, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2024-02-05 | Senate | Continued to 2025 in Commerce and Labor | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2024-11-18: Left in Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2024-02-05: Continued to 2025 in Commerce and Labor (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2024-02-01: Impact statement from DPB (SB485) (Senate)
- 2024-01-09: Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor (Senate)
- 2024-01-09: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24102604D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2024-01-11: [HTML](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB485)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB485)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
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- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB485-2025 (as of 2026-10-16).