New laws take effect in the region on January 1, 2026.

Virginia

• Minimum Wage Increase:
  Virginia’s minimum wage will rise to $12.77 per hour on January 1, 2026. State law requires incremental increases each year until the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour in 2028.
• Higher Unemployment Benefits:
  Individuals receiving unemployment benefits will see their weekly payments increase by $52, providing additional support for workers between jobs.

Delaware

• Paid Family and Medical Leave (Healthy Delaware Families Act):
  Delaware’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program begins paying benefits for approved claims on January 1, 2026. The program provides wage replacement for covered employees taking qualifying leave, including:
  • Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave per year to bond with a new child.
  • Up to 6 weeks of paid medical, family caregiving, or military exigency leave within a 24-month period.

Benefits replace up to 80% of an employee’s average weekly wages, capped at $900 per week in 2026.

Employer requirements vary by size:

• Employers with 25 or more employees must provide the full PFML benefit package.
• Employers with 10–24 employees must provide parental leave benefits.
• Employers with fewer than 10 employees, certain seasonal businesses, and the federal government are exempt but may opt in.