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HB 406

Workers' compensation; disability of law-enforcement officer, spousal wage replacement, report.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by David Reid

Virginia law creates spousal wage replacement protections for disabled law enforcement officers and requires a fiscal impact report on the modifications.

Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB406)
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Bill Summary · HB 406

Legislative bill overview

HB 406 modifies Virginia's workers' compensation system for law enforcement officers who become disabled, specifically addressing spousal wage replacement benefits. The bill requires a report analyzing how disability benefits are calculated and distributed to spouses of affected officers. This represents a targeted adjustment to existing workers' compensation law for a specific occupational group.

Why is this important

Law enforcement officers face elevated workplace injury risks, and disability can have severe financial consequences for their families. How spousal benefits are structured directly affects whether families can meet basic needs during prolonged disability periods. The required report suggests the current system may have gaps or inconsistencies that warrant legislative review before broader changes are implemented.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanding or restructuring spousal benefits increases state liability and workers' compensation insurance costs, which may be passed to employers or taxpayers
  • Scope specificity: Singling out law enforcement for enhanced benefits raises equity questions about why other hazardous occupations (firefighters, corrections officers, emergency responders) are or aren't included
  • Benefit calculation methodology: Disagreement over what constitutes adequate spousal wage replacement—partial income, full income, or indexed amounts—could prove contentious during implementation

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

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