Virginia is first in South with paid leave covering domestic violence

The big picture: Thirteen other states and D.C. have similar mandatory paid leave programs that function as state-run insurance funded by payroll contributions, per the Bipartisan Policy Center.

• Under Virginia's law, which Gov. Spanberger signed late last month, the program is estimated to cover 91% of the private-sector workforce, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families.
• That's about 3.2 million Virginians.

Between the lines: Payroll contributions from workers and employers won't start until April 2028, with benefits available that December.

• But the buildout and establishing how it'll work begins this year, per the Virginia Employment Commission, which will run the program.
• That means employers will be prepping for compliance as the state sets the rules and rates.

How it works: Workers can take up to three months of paid leave per year at roughly 80% of their salary.

• That includes four weeks for "safety services," including medical care, counseling, legal help or relocation tied to violence or harassment, per the legislation.

• Sen. Jennifer Boysko, the Senate bill's sponsor, previously told Axios that employee and employer contributions could be $3–$4 per paycheck each for someone making about $60,000.
• Employers can opt out if they have a similar private plan or fewer than 10 employees. Self-employed workers will be able to opt in.
• Job protection only kicks in after 120 days with an employer.

What we're watching: Whether other Southern states follow Virginia's lead.