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HB 627

Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dan Helmer and 3 co-sponsors

HB 627 restricts and penalizes non-compete agreements with Virginia health care professionals to protect workforce mobility and patient access to care services.

Governor's recommendation received by House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 627

Legislative bill overview

HB 627 regulates non-compete agreements in Virginia, specifically addressing their use with health care professionals. The bill establishes definitional clarity around non-compete covenants and creates civil penalties for violations or improper enforcement of these restrictive employment agreements in the healthcare sector.

Why is this important

Non-compete agreements can restrict workers' ability to change employers and earn a living in their field, particularly affecting healthcare workers who may have limited job markets in rural areas. This bill addresses whether healthcare professionals should be protected from overly broad restrictions that could limit patient access to care by preventing qualified practitioners from relocating or changing employers within a geographic region.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and enforceability: Disagreement over what constitutes a reasonable non-compete in healthcare versus one that is unduly restrictive and harmful to workforce mobility
  • Patient access implications: Competing interests between protecting employer investments in training/recruitment versus ensuring adequate healthcare workforce distribution
  • Economic impact on healthcare providers: Concerns about how restrictions on non-competes affect small practices, rural clinics, and healthcare business models that rely on trained staff retention
  • Enforcement mechanisms: Debate over what constitutes adequate civil penalties and who bears enforcement costs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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