SB128Introduced in the Senate
Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty.
Introduced by Schuyler VanValkenburg, District 16
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Covenants not to compete; health care professionals; civil penalty. Adds health care professionals as a category of employee with or upon whom no employer shall enter into, enforce, or threaten to enforce a covenant not to compete. The bill defines "health care professional" as any person licensed, registered, or certified by the Board of Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, Optometry, Psychology, or Social Work. The bill provides that any employer that violates the prohibition against covenants not to compete with a health care professional is subject to the civil penalty in current law of $10,000 for each violation. This bill is identical to HB 627.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1114)
May 14, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation No. 1 (39-Y 0-N 0-A) · April 22, 2026
39
Yes
0
No
1
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Absent |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100840D
Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB128)
Senate committee offered
Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)
Committee substitute printed 26106892D-S1
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read second time
Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to
Motion to rerefer to Finance and Appropriations agreed to
Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB128)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB128)
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (15-Y 0-N)
Read second time
Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)
Read third time and passed Senate (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Placed on Calendar
Read first time
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
Reported from Labor and Commerce (20-Y 1-N)
Read second time
Read third time
Passed House (92-Y 6-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB128ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB128)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
Senate concurred in Governor's recommendation No. 1 (39-Y 0-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation No. 2 passed by (Voice Vote)
Governor's amendment no. 1 agreed to (97-Y 1-N 0-A)
Governor's recommendation adopted
Reenrolled
Reenrolled bill text (SB128ER2)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Communicated to Governor
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 1114 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP1114)
Verify the information
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