By Michael Phillips | VABayNews
As the calendar turns to 2026, a slate of new Virginia laws approved during the 2025 General Assembly session will take effect, touching everything from baby food safety and health insurance coverage to social media use by minors and telemarketing practices. Much of the early coverage has focused on the most consumer-friendly aspects of these changes. But a closer look reveals a more complicated picture—one that raises questions about enforcement, costs, constitutional limits, and long-term impact on families and businesses.
Below is a breakdown of the most consequential laws taking effect January 1, 2026, along with context that often gets lost in headline summaries.
Child and Consumer Protections
Baby Food Protection Act (HB 1844)
Virginia is joining a growing number of states addressing concerns about toxic heavy metals in baby food.
- Manufacturers of infant formula and baby food must regularly test for arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury.
- Test results must be disclosed on product labels (often via QR code) and on company websites.
- Consumers may report suspected violations to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Why it matters: Parents gain more transparency, but manufacturers face higher compliance costs that could be passed on to consumers. That tradeoff has received little public discussion.
Virginia Telephone Privacy Protection Act (SB 1339)
Residents will now have clearer rights to stop unwanted commercial text messages.
- Consumers can opt out by replying “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE.”
- Telemarketers must honor that opt-out for at least 10 years.
Why it matters: The law closes loopholes that fueled nuisance texts and lawsuits alike, offering relief to consumers while providing clearer rules for businesses.
Social Media and Minors: The Most Contested Law
Consumer Data Protection Act Amendments (SB 854)
Social media platforms must implement “neutral” age verification methods.
- Users under 16 are limited to one hour per day per platform unless parents provide verifiable consent.
- Platforms are restricted from profiling or targeting minors with advertising.
- Enforcement falls under the Attorney General via the Consumer Protection Act.
What’s missing from most coverage:
- The law is already facing First Amendment challenges from NetChoice, a tech industry group, echoing court battles in states like Florida and Utah.
- Critics warn that age verification may increase data collection and privacy risks rather than reduce them.
- Enforcement practicality remains unclear—especially when teens can bypass restrictions using VPNs or false information.
Even supporters acknowledge that parts of the law may be tied up in court well beyond January.
Health Insurance Coverage Expansions
Virginia is mandating broader “no-cost” coverage for certain cancer screenings.
- Breast cancer diagnostics (HB 1828 / SB 1436): Mammograms, ultrasounds, and MRIs must be covered without copays or deductibles when medically necessary.
- Prostate cancer screenings (HB 2097 / SB 1314): Insurers must fully cover screenings consistent with American Cancer Society guidelines.
Why it matters: These measures enjoy broad bipartisan support, but insurers warn that mandated benefits can drive up premiums over time—a concern rarely discussed in public rollouts.
Criminal Justice Transparency
Court Fines and Costs (HB 1665)
Defendants who owe fines, restitution, or court costs can now request:
- A written or electronic itemized statement of charges and balances.
- Updated statements over time.
Why it matters: This is a modest but meaningful transparency reform for Virginians navigating the court system.
Labor and Employment Changes
Minimum Wage Adjustment
- The minimum wage rises from $12.41 to $12.77 per hour, based on inflation (CPI-U).
The bigger story: Earlier plans to raise Virginia’s minimum wage to $15 by 2026 were halted in prior sessions. For many workers—especially in Northern Virginia—$12.77 remains well below a living wage, while business groups argue even modest increases strain small employers.
Unemployment Benefits (HB 2401 / SB 1056)
- Weekly unemployment benefits increase, with most sources citing an additional $52 per week.
Why it matters: The boost offers temporary relief during job loss, but long-term sustainability of the unemployment trust fund remains a recurring concern.
Other Notable Changes
- Retailers must post educational signage when selling certain invasive plant species.
- Additional limits on handling minors’ health data without consent.
- Procedural updates affecting hospital regulations and criminal justice data reporting.
A Center-Right View: Balance or Overreach?
From a center-right perspective, Virginia’s 2026 laws reflect a familiar tension:
- Widely supported: Baby food safety, cancer screenings, transparency in court costs.
- More controversial: Social media restrictions that risk constitutional challenges and unintended privacy consequences.
- Economically cautious: Modest wage increases and new regulations are defended as preserving Virginia’s business-friendly reputation—but critics say they fall short for working families.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has framed many of these measures as pro-family and pro-health, while drawing a firm line against what he views as excessive mandates or economic overreach.
What Comes Next
Several of these laws—especially those governing social media—are likely to evolve through court rulings, regulatory guidance, or future legislative amendments. Virginians should not assume that January 1 marks the final word.
For full bill texts and official summaries, residents can consult the Virginia Legislative Information System (lis.virginia.gov) and the Division of Legislative Services’ In Due Course report.
Bottom line: These laws will shape daily life in Virginia in real ways. Understanding not just what they promise—but how they work, what they cost, and whether they hold up—will matter long after the headlines fade.
Virginia Bay News 
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