Employment discrimination against members of the General Assembly; prohibition, penalty.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details on enforcement mechanisms beyond classifying violations as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

No Job Discrimination for Legislators

This law stops employers from discriminating against members of the Virginia General Assembly due to their absence from work for legislative duties.

What This Bill Does

• It makes it illegal for employers to take adverse actions, such as firing or demoting, against a member of the Virginia General Assembly because they miss work for official legislative meetings or sessions.
• Employers cannot require legislators to use sick leave or vacation time when they are absent due to their duties in the General Assembly.

Who It Names or Affects

• Members of the Virginia General Assembly
• Employers who have employees serving in the Virginia General Assembly

Terms To Know

Class 3 Misdemeanor

A minor criminal offense that is less serious than a felony or a Class 1, 2, or 4 misdemeanor.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill only applies to members of the Virginia General Assembly and their employment situations.
• It does not specify what happens if an employer violates the law beyond classifying it as a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Official Summary Text

Employment discrimination against members of the General Assembly; prohibition; penalty.
Prohibits discrimination in employment against a member of the General Assembly on the basis of his absence from employment due to his attendance at any regular or special session of the General Assembly or any meeting of a legislative committee, subcommittee, commission, council, or other entity on which he serves by reason of his status as a member of the General Assembly. A violation of the bill's provisions is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered
30-9.1
, relating to employment discrimination against members of the General Assembly; prohibition; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered
30-9.1
as follows:

§
30-9.1
.
Prohibition on discrimination in employment; penalty.

Any person who serves as a member of the General Assembly shall neither be discharged from emp
loyment nor have any adverse personnel action taken against him, nor shall he be required to use sick leave or vacation time, as a result of his absence from employment due to his
attendance at any regular or special session of the General Assembly or any meeting of a legislative committee
, subcommittee, commission, council, or other entity
on which he serves by reason of his status as a member of the General Assembly. Any employer violating the provisions of this section is g
uilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.