New Virginia Laws Take Effect Today, Touching Jobs, Rent, Driving, Takeout Containers and Criminal Records

ALEXANDRIA, VA — A new batch of Virginia laws takes effect today, July 1, bringing changes for workers, renters, drivers, restaurant owners, job seekers and people with certain criminal records.

The Virginia Division of Legislative Services publishes an annual “In Due Course” guide summarizing legislation passed by the General Assembly that is likely to affect daily life in the Commonwealth. Many of those laws begin today.

What changes today?

Jobs: Pay ranges must appear in many job postings, and employers face new limits on asking about salary history.

Rent: Tenants now get more time before a lease can be terminated for nonpayment of rent.

Driving: New rules affect livestreaming behind the wheel, learner’s permits, insurance and extreme speeding.

Restaurants: Foam takeout containers are being phased out more broadly.

Records: Some criminal records may now be sealed under Virginia’s Clean Slate law.

Health care: Insurers must cover FDA-approved birth control.

Gun laws: Some provisions are delayed or being challenged in court.

Jobs and Pay Transparency

For job seekers, one of the most visible changes is pay transparency. Virginia employers must now include a good-faith wage or salary range in job postings.

Employers also may not ask applicants about their salary history or use prior pay to decide whether to interview, hire or promote someone.

The new workplace rules also limit some noncompete agreements. Under the changes, certain noncompete agreements may be unenforceable unless severance or other payment is provided when an employee is terminated without cause. New or amended noncompete agreements are also prohibited for many health care professionals licensed, registered or certified by state health boards.

Renters and Landlords

Renters will see changes, too. Landlords must now give tenants 14 days, rather than five, after written notice before terminating a lease for nonpayment of rent.

Landlords also must accept checks and money orders for rent and deposit payments, in addition to online payment methods.

Drivers and Traffic Rules

Drivers will notice several new rules on the road.

Car insurers may no longer use credit scores as the sole reason to set rates or deny coverage. It is also now illegal to livestream while driving.

New drivers ages 18 to 21 must hold a learner’s permit for at least 90 days before getting a license, up from 60 days.

Judges also have a new option for some extreme speeding cases. Certain drivers convicted of going 100 mph or more may be ordered to install an Intelligent Speed Assistance device, which limits a vehicle’s speed, instead of losing their license.

Local governments also now have broader authority to use automated monitoring systems to enforce stop sign and crosswalk violations, similar to the way some localities use camera systems for speeding enforcement.

Restaurants and Takeout Containers

Restaurants, food trucks, cafeterias and other food vendors will need to move away from polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, for takeout containers.

Last year, the restriction applied to larger chains. As of today, it applies more broadly to food vendors statewide.

Another food-related change requires delivery and carryout packaging to indicate when a dish has been modified for a food allergy or sensitivity, such as gluten-free, dairy-free or another requested change.

Criminal Records and Clean Slate

Virginia’s Clean Slate law also begins today, allowing certain criminal records to be sealed from public view.

Some misdemeanor convictions, including certain marijuana, trespassing and shoplifting offenses, may be eligible.

A sealed record is not erased and can still be accessed by courts and law enforcement, but generally will not appear in many public background checks used by employers, landlords or the general public.

Serious crimes, including violent felonies, sex crimes, DUI convictions and certain firearm-related offenses, are excluded.

Cyberstalking and Online Harassment

Online harassment rules are also changing.

Harassment by email, social media or other electronic means may now be treated as cyberstalking, punishable as a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for a second offense within five years.

Health Care and Birth Control Coverage

In health care, insurers must cover FDA-approved birth control.

The new requirement is one of several health-related provisions taking effect with the new fiscal year.

Gun Laws and Legal Challenges

Two gun-related laws that were scheduled for July 1 are already the subject of legal challenges and confusion over enforcement.

One law would restrict the future sale and transfer of many semiautomatic firearms and magazines holding more than 15 rounds while allowing current owners to keep weapons they already legally own. Judges in Lancaster and Washington counties have issued injunctions blocking enforcement while litigation continues, and the state is expected to appeal.

Another law involving the public carry of certain assault firearms has been delayed until next year after lawmakers said the measure contained an unintended loophole.

What It Means Locally

While many of the new laws are statewide, several will be felt locally in Alexandria — from restaurant takeout packaging and job postings to landlord-tenant notices, traffic enforcement and background checks.

For residents, employers and business owners, the safest course is simple: check the updated state guidance and review any policies, forms, leases, job postings or procedures that may now fall under Virginia’s new rules.