Victory in Virginia

On April 13, 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation that will create workplace heat standards for Virginia workers. SB 288—sponsored by Senator Lashrecse Aird and HB 1092 sponsored by Delegate Phil Hernandez require the Virginia Department of Labor and Safety and Health Codes Board to create enforceable standards for heat illness prevention, including mandatory water, shade, and rest periods. Here is the text of the signed bill.

The bills’ sponsors, the strong coalition that worked to pass the heat protection bills,  the leadership of the Worker Justice Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center and the BlueGreen Alliance, and the support of the Virginia General Assembly and the Administration for more protections for the Commonwealth’s workers all contributed to this victory.

Here is the fact sheet that NRDC created for this successful effort.