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SB170Introduced in the Senate

Protection of employees; covenants not to compete, discharged employees.

Passed

Introduced by Jeremy McPike, District 29

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Protection of employees; covenants not to compete; discharged employees. Provides that no covenant not to compete, as such term is defined in existing law, between an employer and an employee is enforceable if such employer discharges such employee from employment without providing severance benefits or other monetary payment to such employee that is disclosed upon execution of the covenant not to compete, unless the employee is discharged for cause. This bill incorporates SB 569.

Where it stands

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0883)

April 13, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House of Delegates votes

4 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

House of DelegatesStage: Passed House (87-Y 12-N 0-A) · March 4, 2026

87

Yes

12

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

99 delegates recorded in this House of Delegates vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each delegate voted

DelegateDistrictVote
Patrick Hope1Yes
Adele McClure2Yes
Alfonso Lopez3Yes
Charniele Herring4Yes
Kirk McPike5Yes
Richard Sullivan6Yes
Karen Keys-Gamarra7Yes
Irene Shin8Yes
Karrie Delaney9Yes
Dan Helmer10Yes

Bill history

  1. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100309D

  2. Referred to Committee on Commerce and Labor

  3. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)

  4. Incorporates SB569 (Sturtevant)

  5. Senate committee offered

  6. Reported from Commerce and Labor with substitute (13-Y 0-N)

  7. Committee substitute printed 26107018D-S1

  8. Substitute bill reprinted 26107018D

  9. Rules suspended

  10. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  11. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  12. Read second time

  13. Commerce and Labor Substitute agreed to

  14. Engrossed by Senate Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  15. Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  16. Read third time and passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  17. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)

  18. Placed on Calendar

  19. Read first time

  20. Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

  21. Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2

  22. Subcommittee recommends reporting (7-Y 0-N)

  23. Reported from Labor and Commerce and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)

  24. Assigned HAPP sub: Commerce Agriculture & Natural Resources

  25. Reported from Appropriations (18-Y 4-N)

  26. Read second time

  27. Read third time

  28. Passed House (87-Y 12-N 0-A)

  29. Enrolled

  30. Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB170ER)

  31. Signed by Speaker

  32. Signed by President

  33. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB170)

  34. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026

  35. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  36. Approved by Governor-Chapter 883 (effective 7/1/2026)

  37. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0883)

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