Sen. Jennifer Boysko

Prohibits private employers from discriminating on the basis of membership in a protected class between employees in the payment of wages or other compensation for substantially similar work. The measure defines "protected class" as a group of persons distinguished by race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification or expression, political affiliation, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, or age. The measure also prohibits (i) discrimination between employees by providing less favorable employment opportunities; (ii) limiting an employee's right to discuss wages; (iii) infringement on an employee's right to not disclose wage or salary history; and (iv) retaliating against an employee. The bill also establishes criteria for when wage differentials between employees are permitted. Violations are subject to civil penalties.

Prohibits the State Corporation Commission (SCC) from issuing on or after July 1, 2019, a certificate of public convenience and necessity or granting any other permit or approval required for the construction or operation by an electric utility of a new fossil fuel facility or for the expansion or continued operation of an existing fossil fuel facility before first approving the construction and placing in service of renewable energy generation facilities having in the aggregate a rated capacity of 5,500 megawatts. The measure also prohibits the SCC on or after July 1, 2019, from authorizing or permitting an electric utility or re-permitting an existing idle fossil fuel facility to increase purchases of electric power under any agreement with another person, if the electric power is or will be generated at a fossil fuel facility, before first approving the construction and placing in service of such renewable energy generation facilities.

Requires the Virginia Employment Commission to establish and administer a paid family and medical leave program. Under the program, benefits are paid to eligible employees for family and medical leave. Funding for the program is provided through premiums assessed to employers and employees. The amount of a benefit is 70 percent of the employee's average weekly wage, not to exceed $850 per week, which amount is required to be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. The measure caps the duration of paid leave at 12 weeks in any 52-week period, though 26 weeks of paid leave may be taken if the leave qualifies as military caregiver leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. Employers with 25 or fewer employees are exempt from paying their contribution to the program but may elect to participate voluntarily. Self-employed individuals are provided the option of participating in the program. The measure also provides that employers may operate their own equivalent voluntary plans.

Creates an income tax credit for taxable year 2021 for a portion of the salary or wages paid by small businesses to full-time employees while on leave for the birth or adoption of a child. The credit equals 65 percent of the first $8,333 in salary and wages paid by the small business to an employee while on parental leave, which must be leave taken that is separate from any paid vacation, sick, or other paid leave.