[CORRECTION TO PREVIOUS COMMENT SUBMITTED] Altagracia Kubinyi, Virginia Organizer, National Domestic Workers Alliance - Virginia and Care in Action I previously submitted a comment that was incorrectly submitted as a comment for HB5. Please ignore this previous comment, as it was intended to be submitted as a comment for SB 199 but was accidentally uploaded as a comment for HB5. The comment below supersedes my earlier submission. The National Domestic Workers Alliance - Virginia and Care in Action strongly support HB5. Paid sick days are a matter of basic rights and dignity, no one should have to choose between going to work and caring for a loved one. I live in Arlington, and before my current role as an organizer, in the years I worked as a nanny and home care worker, I knew personally what it was like to worry about my ability to take time off when I was sick because I was not guaranteed pay for days I did not work. HB5 recognizes the tremendous contributions domestic workers make to this country by ensuring that the definition of employee in the bill ensures that all workers, including those who work at a workplace with 1 or more employees, receive paid sick days when this law goes into effect. Many domestic workers are the only employee at their workplace, and they need paid sick days as much as all other workers. We celebrate that this bill ensures that domestic workers and other workers at small workplaces will receive the right of paid sick days at the same time as other workers. We enthusiastically hope to see this bill be passed and urge the Senate to adopt the language in this bill over the language currently in SB199.

My name is Altagracia Kubinyi. I live in Arlington, I work as an organizer at the National Domestic Workers Alliance in Virginia and before that I spent years working as a nanny, and as a homecare worker. It is a matter of basic fairness, dignity and public health for domestic workers to have access to paid sick days. We support this bill and strongly support the creation of paid sick days for Virginia workers, but are deeply concerned about some of the language in the bill. The definition of employee in this bill should not phase in sick days based on the number of employees at a workplace. This is a sector of primarily women of color who have been left out of basic labor protections for decades and this bill currently would further exclude them and other workers at small workplaces who need paid sick days just as much as the rest of us. The redrafted language also removes the use of paid sick leave for care of a family member – this is often the most common reason that workers need time off from work to take care of a family member. Lastly, we oppose the change of an employee needing to make the request for sick leave in writing as opposed to orally. Many domestic workers face retaliation and are afraid to ask their employers for their basic rights. Some are not able to read and write, including in a language that the employer speaks. They still deserve paid sick days, and having to make the request in writing presents a significant barrier to workers actually accessing this benefit. Let this be the year where Virginians no longer have to make the impossible choice between their health and their paycheck and let’s make sure this bill language gives domestic workers and all other workers the strongest possible guarantee of sick leave.

See attached testimony.

Paid sick leave is critically important for everyone's health. It is critical for public health, as we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paid sick days reduce the spread of infections and allow workers the freedom to seek treatment for conditions before they become emergencies. Paid sick leave is also good for the economy, reducing labor turnover, improving productivity, and preventing on-the-job injuries. Mandating paid sick leave will help reduce gender and racial disparities in the workplace. This legislation should be adopted and implemented immediately!

Comments Document

The National Partnership for Women & Families appreciates the opportunity to submit testimony in support of HB 5. HB 5 is an opportunity for Virginia to ensure no worker is forced to choose between their paycheck and caring for themself or their loved ones. We respectfully urge a favorable report on the bill.

Comments Document

To the Chairman as well as Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2, Attached is my formal written submission on behalf of Main Street Alliance in SUPPORT of HB 5 to implement paid sick days in Virginia. Best, Lauren Bealore National Director of Policy & Programs, Main Street Alliance

VA Association of Personal Care Providers, opposes HB-5 if it is not funded, However, as we discussed with several legislators at Our day on the Hill yesterday Jan 21 if not funded Agency Directed personal care providers would have to pay multiple employees to cover a patient while DMAS reimburses for only 1 employee when services are performed. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and Patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the commonwealth.

oppose without funding for Agency Directed Personal Care

OPPOSE without funding

The VAPCP wants to be a partner in making Va. a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. We are a reimbursement driven model, and this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors. This would place employees and 100’s of thousands people in jeopardy of employment and care across the commonwealth. We urge this committee to ensure that the commonwealth provides the resources to make HB-5 a reality for the home care industry.

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

As a provider of Medicaid-funded personal care services, we support the intent of this bill. The continuity and security of our workforce has a direct impact on the continuity and security of the seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities we serve. That being said, home care agencies cannot bill for services we do not provide, and Medicaid rates for Personal Care (T1019) are already too low. (The 2025 Guidehouse Rate Study mandated in 2025 recommended increases of greater than 40%, making it clear that rate relief is already clearly needed.) We, as provider members of the Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers (VAPCP), are asking that the General Assembly recognize the additional gap in funding that this bill in its current form would create and provide the financial support needed to ensure access to care and to recruit and retain high-quality caregivers. Thank you for taking our comments and for your work for the people of Virginia, whom we all serve.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

The VAPCP (Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers) wants to be a partner in making Virginia a better place to work. However, VAPCP cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. We urge this committee to support our caregivers by ensuring that the Commonwealth provides the resources necessary to make HB 5 a reality for the home care industry.

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. This legislation will negatively impact small agencies that provide jobs for our communities. It has the potential to shut down agencies, eliminate jobs, and take away personal care services that we provide to the elderly. THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. THANK YOU!

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth. THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth." THANK YOU!

"The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding.Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth."

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers cannot support HB-5 without funding. Since we are a reimbursement driven model, this would create a financial hardship that would lead to agencies shuttering doors; placing employment, and patient access to care in jeopardy for 100’s of thousands of people across the Commonwealth.

The Virginia Association of Personal Care Providers must oppose HB-5 without funding. Personal care providers rely on a largely hourly, direct-care workforce and operate under fixed reimbursement rates set by the Commonwealth. Unlike other industries, providers cannot adjust pricing to absorb new mandates. Without additional funding, a paid sick leave requirement creates immediate and unfunded costs, including paying sick leave while also paying replacement caregivers to ensure continuity of care. These added costs strain already thin margins, limit agencies’ ability to accept new clients, and risk service disruptions for vulnerable Virginians who depend on in-home care to remain safely at home. We urge the General Assembly to advance HB-5 with an understanding of its real-world impact on personal care providers and to ensure that any new mandate is paired with adequate funding so providers can comply while continuing to deliver essential services.

To the delegates in Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2, As a young, hourly worker, I urge the committee to support HB5. Paid sick leave is a vital part of a functioning society and economy that should extend to all workers, not just salaried ones. Giving workers the ability to rest when sick and, crucially, prevent spreading their illness to their coworkers or clients not only benefits not only workers themselves but also society as a whole. We could prevent a lot of illness and improve overall productivity in the long run by encouraging workers to stay home and rest when sick so they recover faster and prevent spreading contagious disease. Passing HB5 will help support hourly workers make decisions that improve public health and long-term economic productivity. Sincerely, Rebecca Whitten

I strongly support expanding paid sick leave to all employees. We saw with covid that many lower-paid employees were unable to take leave during the pandemic, spreading the contagious illness through our communities due to the perverse incentives built into our labor laws. We should be encouraging people to take care of their family or time off when they are sick with the flu or covid. It is perverse that we have a structure where illness is almost encourage to spread due to the structures our society has implemented around leave in Virginia. Paid sick leave is good for the economy, reducing labor turnover, improving productivity, and preventing on-the-job injuries.

Paid sick leave is one of the most important rights for workers. People are people, they can get sick. Even machines go out of service! Please guarantee paid sick leaves. Thanks

I urge the subcommittee to approve HB5. As we learned during the (still ongoing) COVID-19 pandemic, paid sick leave saves lives. It is not merely a perk or a benefit, but a critical public health measure that reduces disease transmission rates while helping alleviate racial, gender, and income disparities. Paid sick leave is also good for businesses and the economy - improving productivity, reducing workplace injuries, and lowering labor turnover. HB5 is a win-win-win for Virginia's workers, businesses, and public health.

I strongly support this bill because contracted Community Health Workers (CHWs) currently lack basic workplace protections, including access to paid sick leave. As a result, many CHWs—particularly those compensated on a fee-for-service or contract basis—are forced to choose between their health and their income. As is widely acknowledged in our profession, “at times we are just a paycheck away from being our clients.” CHWs are frontline public health workers who bridge systems of care and community need. We work with individuals and families experiencing chronic illness, mental health challenges, housing instability, domestic violence, and economic insecurity. Denying paid sick leave to workers in these roles undermines both worker well-being and public health outcomes. When CHWs cannot afford to take time off to recover from illness or address family emergencies, it increases burnout, turnover, and the risk of harm to the very communities we are trusted to serve. This bill meaningfully addresses these gaps by: Expanding paid sick leave coverage beyond home health workers to all employees, including those employed on fee-for-service arrangements. Ensuring continuity of accrued sick leave during transfers or under successor employers—critical in a workforce characterized by grant-funded and contract-based employment. Recognizing that paid sick leave must also support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking, aligning labor policy with trauma-informed practice. Establishing clear enforcement mechanisms and penalties, which are essential for accountability and compliance. While limited waivers are permitted for certain health care workers, the bill appropriately balances flexibility with worker protections and includes a delayed effective date to allow employers time to prepare. In short, this legislation affirms that the workers who care for our communities deserve care and protection themselves. Paid sick leave is not a luxury—it is a foundational labor standard that promotes health, stability, and dignity. I urge full support and passage of this bill.