CHAPTER 384
An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 5 of Chapter 9 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-988 , relating to authority of local governments; service employees.
[H 338]
Approved April 8, 2026
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 5 of Chapter 9 of Title 15.2 a section numbered 15.2-988 as follows:
§ 15.2-988 . Service employees; transition period.
A. For the purposes of this section:
"Awarding authority" means any person that awards a service contract or subcontract to a service employer. "Awarding authority" does not include the United States or the Commonwealth but may, at the election of the governing body of a locality, include such locality.
"Covered location" means, at the election of the governing body of a locality, any one of the following, whether publicly or privately owned: (i) a multifamily residential building with more than 50 units; (ii) a commercial center, office building, or complex of contiguous commercial or office buildings occupying more than 75,000 square feet; (iii) an elementary or secondary school; (iv) a cultural center or complex, such as a museum, convention center, arena, or performance hall; (v) an industrial site or pharmaceutical lab; (vi) an airport or train station; or (vii) a warehouse or distribution center.
"Employer" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, or any other legal or commercial entity that employs service employees. "Employer" may, at the election of the governing body of a locality, include such locality. "Employer" does not include the United States or the Commonwealth.