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Why This Matters for Virginia Families
As Christians, we know our families are a gift from God — one we are called to nurture, protect, and cherish, whether that’s welcoming new life or sitting with the sick and suffering. These are the most important earthly commitments of our lives.
But right now, our laws don't reflect those values.
Virginia workers have no guarantee of paid time off when a baby is born, a parent falls ill, or a family crisis strikes. Only 1 in 5 workers has access to paid family leave — and two-thirds of workers say they can't afford to take even two unpaid weeks.
This means new mothers are returning to work days after giving birth. Fathers are missing the first weeks of their child's life. Marriages are strained, and parents are forced to put their kids in daycare much earlier than we all know is best.
HB1207 would change that.
What HB1207 Does
HB1207 creates a statewide Paid Family and Medical Leave insurance program administered by the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC). It provides Virginia workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year — funded through payroll contributions, not the state general fund — for qualifying family, medical, military, and safety-related needs.
Benefits of Paid Family Leave
Stronger Families
Paid family leave allows working parents to bond with their new babies, contribute to healthier child development, and create stronger family units–without having to worry about unpaid bills piling up.
Better for Small Businesses Too
One of the most persistent myths about paid family leave is that it burdens businesses. The evidence says otherwise. In the most comprehensive study of small businesses in states with paid leave programs, 90% of employers reported that profitability and productivity improved or stayed the same, and 99% said it had a positive or neutral effect on workplace morale.
Without a statewide program, the cost of family leave falls entirely on whichever employers choose to offer it — putting small businesses at a disadvantage against larger competitors who can absorb the cost. A shared program levels that playing field. It also reduces reliance on public assistance, as families are better equipped to care for their own without falling into financial crisis.
Healthier Mothers & Children
Right now, 1 in 4 American women returns to work within two weeks of giving birth — far sooner than the six weeks doctors recommend for physical recovery, and long before the emotional demands of new motherhood have eased. The consequences are real: higher rates of postpartum complications, disrupted breastfeeding, and children placed in care before families are ready.
Keeping Families Financially Strong
When mothers have paid leave, they come back. Women with access to paid family leave are 40% more likely to return to work after having a child than those without it. That means more financial stability for families, less dependency on assistance programs, and a stronger workforce for Virginia.
And when fathers are supported in taking leave too, they become more engaged parents — not just in those first weeks, but for years to come. That's good for marriages, good for children, and good for the kind of family-centered culture we want Virginia to be.
A Better Future for Virginia Families
The positive impact that a Paid Family Leave program will have on Virginia families can’t be understated.
Mothers will no longer feel the need to leave their new child in the care of someone else for the sake of paying rent. Nor will they need to rush through their recovery process, possibly harming their bodies. Husbands will be able to spend more time with their new family, bond with their child, and help their wife rest and recover.
Our family units will be stronger; our economy will be strengthened; our children’s future will be brighter.
Join Us Praying for a Paid Family Leave Program in Virginia!
As Christians, we believe every child is a gift from God and every family deserves the time and stability to care for that gift. That’s why we’re praying that Virginia lawmakers will pass legislation guaranteeing 12 weeks of paid family leave so parents can care for their children without financial fear and families can grow stronger together.