STATE BILLVA SB 170PASSED

Protection of employees; covenants not to compete, discharged employees.

Protection of employees; covenants not to compete; discharged employees. Provides that no covenant not to compete, as such term is defined in existing law, between an employer and an employee is enforceable if such employer discharges such employee from employment without providing severance benefits or other monetary payment to such employee that is disclosed upon execution of the covenant not to compete, unless the employee is discharged for cause. This bill incorporates SB 569.

Status: Passed; Signed or otherwise enacted
Status date: Apr 13, 2026; 213 days ago
Current chamber: Senate
Session: 2026 Regular Session

VA SB 170 · PassedApr 13

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Bill details

Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0883) · Apr 13, 2026

Sponsor

JMJeremy McPikeSenator · Democrat · SD-029Primary sponsor

Bill history

Newest first.

Apr 13, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0883)

Apr 13, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 883 (effective 7/1/2026)

Mar 14, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

Mar 14, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026Senate

Mar 11, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)Senate

Mar 10, 2026Signed by PresidentSenate

Mar 10, 2026Signed by SpeakerHouse

Mar 10, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB170ER)Senate

Show 29 earlier actions

Mar 10, 2026EnrolledSenate

Mar 4, 2026Passed House (87-Y 12-N 0-A)House

Mar 4, 2026Read third timeHouse

Mar 3, 2026Read second timeHouse

Feb 27, 2026Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 4-N)House

Feb 25, 2026Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural ResourcesHouse

Feb 24, 2026Reported from Labor and Commerce and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)House

Feb 19, 2026Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)House

Feb 17, 2026Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2House

Feb 12, 2026Referred to Committee on Labor and CommerceHouse

Feb 12, 2026Read first timeHouse

Feb 12, 2026Placed on CalendarHouse

Feb 10, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)Senate

Feb 6, 2026Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Feb 5, 2026Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate

Feb 5, 2026Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate

Feb 5, 2026Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed toSenate

Feb 5, 2026Read second timeSenate

Feb 4, 2026Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate

Feb 4, 2026Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate

Feb 4, 2026Rules suspendedSenate

Feb 3, 2026Substitute bill reprinted 26107018DSenate

Feb 3, 2026Committee substitute printed 26107018D-S1Senate

Feb 2, 2026Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)Senate

Feb 2, 2026Senate committee offeredSenate

Feb 2, 2026Incorporates SB569 (Sturtevant)Senate

Feb 2, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)Senate

Jan 8, 2026Referred to Committee on Commerce and LaborSenate

Jan 8, 2026Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100309DSenate

Recorded votes

Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)Feb 2, 2026 · Senate · 13 yea · 0 nayPassed

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 4, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed

Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Feb 6, 2026 · Senate · 40 yea · 0 nayPassed

Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)Feb 19, 2026 · House · 7 yea · 0 nayPassed

Reported from Labor and Commerce and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)Feb 24, 2026 · House · 22 yea · 0 nayPassed

Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 4-N)Feb 27, 2026 · House · 18 yea · 4 nayPassed

Passed House (87-Y 12-N 0-A)Mar 4, 2026 · House · 87 yea · 12 nayPassed

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