Virginia’s New Laws — January 2022
On January 1, 2022, new laws from the Virginia General Assembly went into effect addressing minimum wage, auto insurance coverage, and elections.
Virginia New Laws — Minimum Wage
On January 1st, Virginia’s minimum wage increased to $11 per hour, up from the previous $9.50/hour. The minimum wage is set to go up incrementally until it reaches $15.00/hour in 2026.
Virginia New Laws — Minimum Insurance Coverage
Virginia also increased its auto insurance coverage minimum requirements from $25,000 to $30,000. The new law will apply to new insurance policies or policies that are renewed after January 1, 2022. The new insurance minimums will be required to register vehicles in Virginia or to purchase license plates.
Virginia New Laws — Municipal Elections
Previously, some local elections in Virginia were held in May. Because of the cost involved with having two elections, beginning this year all local elections will be held in November.
Federal Law Prohibiting Surprise Medical Bills
Due to a new law that took effect on January 1, 2021, many Virginians were already protected against surprise medical bills. But, a federal law that took effect on the first day of 2022 called the No Surprises Act (NSA), will offer even more protections for the state’s residents against surprise billing for medical expenses.
Surprise medical billing, sometimes called balance billing, happens when patients unknowingly receive medical care from a provider who is outside of their health insurance company’s network of providers. When this happens, the provider often charges the patient higher amounts in these situations and bills the patient outside of any agreements with health insurance carriers. As of January 1, 2022, this practice will cease.
Additional bills are set to become law on July 1, 2022.
Ritchie Law Firm is a personal injury law firm devoted to helping individuals who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries or lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence. Ritchie Law Firm serves all of Virginia, while helping clients in cities and surrounding areas of Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, and Winchester also serves clients in West Virginia, including Martinsburg, WV.