As Virginia prepares for the start of 2026, the Commonwealth is rolling out several significant legislative changes. From a boost in the minimum wage to pioneering digital safety rules for teens, these laws will fundamentally change how Virginians live, work, and parent starting January 1, 2026.
As Virginia prepares for the start of 2026, the Commonwealth is rolling out several significant legislative changes. From a boost in the minimum wage to pioneering digital safety rules for teens, these laws will fundamentally change how Virginians live, work, and parent starting January 1, 2026.Here are the five most impactful new Virginia laws taking effect on New Year's Day.
1. The Teen Social Media "Power Down" Law
Virginia is taking a bold step in digital wellness for minors. Under an update to the Consumer Data Protection Act, social media platforms must now implement strict daily limits for younger users.
- The Change: Platforms must use "neutral age screening" to identify users under 16. Once identified, those users will be automatically limited to one hour of usage per day on that platform.
- Parental Override: The limit isn't permanent; parents or legal guardians can provide verifiable consent to increase (or further decrease) their child's daily time limit.
- Privacy Guardrails: The law also prohibits platforms from using age-verification data for any purpose other than determining the user's age.
2. The 2026 Minimum Wage Bump
In accordance with the Virginia Minimum Wage Act, the state's base pay is set to receive its annual inflation-adjusted increase to keep up with the rising cost of living.
- The Rate: The minimum wage will increase from $12.41 to $12.77 per hour.
- The Outlook: This is part of a gradual climb toward a proposed $15.00 hourly rate by 2028. All Virginia employers, regardless of size, must pay covered employees at least this new adjusted rate starting January 1.
3. The Baby Food Protection Act
Virginia is implementing some of the nation's strictest safety standards for infant nutrition. This new law targets toxic heavy metals that have recently made national headlines.
- The Requirement: Manufacturers of baby food and infant formula must now regularly test every production batch for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
- Transparency: Companies are required to disclose these test results directly on their websites and via QR codes on product packaging, allowing parents to verify the food's safety before buying.
4. Expanded "No-Cost" Cancer Screenings
Starting in 2026, health insurance providers regulated by the Commonwealth must remove financial barriers to critical diagnostic tests.
- Breast Cancer: Insurance must now fully cover diagnostic mammograms, breast MRIs, and ultrasounds with no out-of-pocket costs (no copays or deductibles) when ordered by a doctor.
- Prostate Cancer: Similarly, carriers must now cover prostate cancer screenings, including PSA blood tests and digital rectal exams, in accordance with the latest American Cancer Society guidelines.
5. The "STOP" Text Protection Law
If you're tired of political and commercial text spam, Virginia is giving you more legal teeth to fight back. An update to the Telephone Privacy Protection Act streamlines the process for opting out of unwanted messages.
- The Law: All unsolicited commercial text messages must now honor opt-out requests. If a resident replies with "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE," the solicitor must immediately cease messaging and honor that request for at least 10 years.
- Time Restrictions: Telemarketers are also now strictly prohibited from calling or texting before 8 AM or after 9 PM local time unless you have previously given explicit consent.
Honorable Mention: The Medical Debt Protection Act
Also taking effect on January 1, this law caps interest rates on overdue medical bills and prohibits specific aggressive collection tactics. It's designed to prevent a single health crisis from leading to permanent financial ruin for Virginia families.
