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SB 637

Virginia Human Rights Act; nondiscrimination, procedures for charge of unlawful discrimination.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jennifer Boysko and 2 co-sponsors

SB 637 expands Virginia Human Rights Act employer definitions and limits sovereign immunity, potentially increasing discrimination liability for state entities and small organizations.

Approved by Governor-Chapter 950 (effective 7/1/2026)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 637

Legislative bill overview

SB 637 modifies Virginia's Human Rights Act by expanding the definition of "employer" to include smaller organizations and addresses sovereign immunity protections for state entities. The bill passed out of two committees with mixed support, suggesting it narrows exemptions that previously protected certain employers from discrimination claims.

Why is this important

This legislation affects who can be sued for workplace discrimination in Virginia and whether state government entities maintain immunity from such claims. The expansion of "employer" definitions could expose more organizations to civil rights enforcement, potentially increasing access to remedies for workers facing discrimination while also creating new legal liability for previously exempt entities.

Potential points of contention

  • Sovereign immunity debate: Removing or limiting state sovereign immunity in discrimination cases pits government accountability against traditional legal protections for public entities and the state budget
  • Small business burden: Expanding "employer" definition to smaller organizations may increase compliance costs and litigation exposure for entities with limited HR resources
  • Definitional scope: The bill's specific new threshold for what constitutes an "employer" determines which organizations fall under coverage—a technical point with significant practical consequences

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

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