Virginia’s new laws take effect Jan. 1 – WUSA9.com

Virginia’s New Laws for 2025

Child labor laws, codifying same-sex marriage, were among the laws that will change come New Year’s Day.

1. Minimum wage will increase 41 cents:

• Virginia’s minimum wage will increase to $12.41 per hour.
• This increase follows the commonwealth’s existing minimum of $12 per hour.
• The increase is a result of a law passed in 1975 that mandates the commonwealth to adjust the state minimum to the Consumer Price Index – Urban.
• The Virginia Department of Labor has explained that since the Consumer Price Index published an annual increase of 3.4% in 2023, the $12-per-hour minimum wage would also have to increase by 3.4%.

2. Legacy admission and donor status (HB 48):

• Starting Jan. 1, Virginia universities are not allowed to give an advantage to students whose family members went to a given school, or whose family had donated money to a college or university.
• This law applies to public universities in the state, including the University of Virginia, William and Mary, George Mason, James Madison, and Virginia Tech.

3. Jury service exemption age to increase 3 years (HB 156):

• Mandatory jury service in Virginia currently includes the population from ages 18 to 70.
• Starting Jan. 1, 71, 72, and 73-year-olds will now be expected to show up for jury duty once summoned.
• Anyone older than 73 can be exempted from jury duty upon request.

4. Fines for child labor crimes will increase (HB 100):

• The law would fine business owners a maximum of $25,000 if a child dies or is seriously injured while working in violation of labor laws.
• Child labor offenses that do not result in death or injury will also have higher fines in 2025, with the maximum fine set at $2,500 and the minimum fine set at $500.
• “In determining the amount of such penalty, the appropriateness of such penalty to the size of the business of the person charged and the gravity of the violation shall be considered,” the law reads.

5. Health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screening (HB 238):

• Insurance companies will be required to cover cancer screenings and follow-up colonoscopies for anyone 45 and older, starting in the new year.
• The bill prohibits such coverage from being subject to any deductible coinsurance or any other cost-sharing requirements for services received from participating providers.
• The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends screenings for anyone older than 44, classifying 45 to 49-year-olds as a Grade B and people older than 49 as a more severe Grade A.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The increase in the minimum wage aims to reduce poverty and improve the standard of living for workers.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article does not directly address this SDG.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article does not directly address this SDG.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The increase in the minimum wage and the fines for child labor offenses are related to promoting decent work and economic growth.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The increase in the minimum wage aims to reduce income inequalities.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions changes in laws related to legacy admission and donor status, jury service exemption age, and fines for child labor crimes, which are related to justice and strong institutions.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article does not directly address this SDG.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable – The increase in the minimum wage aims to provide better social protection for workers.
• SDG 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value – The increase in the minimum wage and the fines for child labor offenses contribute to achieving decent work and economic growth.
• SDG 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality – The increase in the minimum wage aims to reduce income inequalities.
• SDG 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all – The changes in laws related to legacy admission and donor status, jury service exemption age, and fines for child labor crimes contribute to promoting the rule of law and equal access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for SDG 1.3: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems, by sex, distinguishing children, unemployed persons, older persons, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, newborns, work-injury victims, and the poor and the vulnerable
• Indicator for SDG 8.5: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator for SDG 10.4: Palma ratio (share of national income held by the top 10% versus the bottom 40%)
• Indicator for SDG 16.3: Proportion of population who had contact with a public official and who paid a bribe to a public official, disaggregated by sex

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wusa9.com