Here Are 5 New VA Laws Going Into Effect On July 1, 2025

From mail theft to overtime pay, multiple bills will officially become law in Virginia on July 1.

On May 2, Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed 53 bills into law, several of which improve the accessibility and quality of maternal health care in the state, public safety and Virginia's education system. In March, he signed an additional 599 bills.

"The legislation that I’ve signed into law and the budget amendments I’ve put forward this year will go a long way to helping ensure Virginia remains a great place to live, work and raise a family," Youngkin said in a statement.

Related: 7 New VA Laws Taking Effect On July 1

Here's a look at five significant bills going into effect on July 1:

Seatbelt Use

The new law requires all adult passengers in a car to wear seatbelts when the vehicle is in motion on a public road. Current law requires seatbelt use only for the driver and front seat passenger. The updated law is a secondary offense, meaning drivers can only be cited if they are pulled over for another traffic violation.

Stopping For Pedestrians

The law makes it a traffic infraction if a driver operating a motor vehicle fails to stop for pedestrians and makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor if such traffic infraction results in the serious bodily injury or death of a pedestrian lawfully crossing a highway.

Mail Theft Penalty

Starting July 1, this new law will make mail theft a Class 6 felony and give local prosecutors the ability to bring charges in addition to existing federal penalties.

Virginia Overtime Wage Act

Beginning July 1, Virginia employers will be subject to the Virginia Overtime Wage Act, which
adds new state overtime pay requirements. Previously, Virginia employers applied the overtime pay
requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Like the FLSA, the Overtime Act obligates employers to pay one and one-half times an employee’s regular rate of pay for hours physically worked in excess of 40 in a workweek. Differences from the federal law include how the regular rate
of pay is calculated for salaried nonexempt employees, a longer statute of limitations to bring potential claims and the possible damages available. Learn more.

Nazi Symbol Vandalism

The law makes it a Class 6 felony for any person who, with the intent of intimidating any
person or group of persons, places a Nazi symbol or emblem, sometimes referred to as the Nazi swastika, on the private property of another without permission.

See the full list of 2025 changes to Virginia's laws.

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