Committee advances paid family and medical leave plan with $75 million startup estimate

A substitute to House Bill 12‑07 that would establish a paid family and medical leave program administered by the Virginia Employment Commission was reported to the full House on a 15–7 committee vote.

The subcommittee presenting the bill told the committee the estimated startup costs for the program are approximately $75,000,000. The substitute creates the program framework at the Virginia Employment Commission; the transcript records the startup-cost estimate but does not specify benefit levels, funding mechanics, or an implementation timeline.

Committee members voted 15–7 in favor of reporting the substitute. The committee record does not include a full fiscal plan or final funding source for ongoing benefits; staff and appropriators will need to provide additional budget detail and an implementation timetable should the bill advance from the floor.

The committee’s action sends HB 12‑07 to the next stage of the legislative process; the transcript shows the subcommittee estimates but does not record enactment language or an effective date for the program.