State Del. David A. Reid has put forward a bill aimed at assisting families of injured police officers by offering wage replacement benefits to spouses who serve as in-home caregivers, the Virginia State House reports.
The proposal, known as HB406, was introduced on Jan. 14, 2026, for the 2026 regular session. Its formal summary describes it as: “Workers’ compensation; disability of law-enforcement officer, spousal wage replacement, report.”
The following summary, which is based on the bill’s language, includes some explanations for clarity.
This legislation establishes a spousal wage replacement benefit for situations when a Virginia law enforcement officer is hurt in the line of duty and needs in-home assistance from a spouse. The employer would pay the spouse 66% of their average weekly wage from the past three years, capped at 80% of the state average weekly wage, provided a health care professional certifies the officer needs help with at least two daily living activities and the spouse cuts back hours or takes unpaid leave. Benefits can continue for up to 12 weeks, with up to two additional extensions of seven weeks each. Payments are reduced by any wages or paid leave received and are regulated by reporting and fraud prevention rules. The Workers’ Compensation Commission will administer the application process and annual reporting, and the law would go into effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Rep. David A. Reid (Democrat-28th District) is the sole sponsor of the bill.
Reid has introduced 18 additional measures since the start of the session.
Reid earned a BA from Northeastern Oklahoma State University in 1984.
A Democrat, Reid was elected to the Virginia State House in 2024 and now represents the 28th House district, succeeding former state representative Tara Durant.
In Virginia, the process for passing legislation begins with a bill’s introduction in either the House of Delegates or Senate, followed by committee referrals and discussion. If given committee approval, a bill moves to the floor of both chambers for debate and passage. When both chambers approve a bill, it is sent to the governor, who can sign, veto, or allow it to become law without a signature. The General Assembly meets in regular session each year beginning the second Monday in January. While hundreds of bills are introduced annually, only some are enacted.
| Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| David A. Reid | HB406 | 01/14/2026 | Workers’ compensation; disability of law-enforcement officer, spousal wage replacement, report. |
| David A. Reid, John Chilton McAuliff, Michael J. Webert, Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr., and Justin Pence | HB49 | 01/14/2026 | Pari-mutuel wagering; historical horse racing, percentage retained for distribution. |
| David A. Reid | HB141 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Passenger Rail Authority; certain exemptions. |
| David A. Reid, Marty Martinez, and Gretchen M Bulova | HB182 | 01/14/2026 | High school graduation requirements; history and social studies credits. |
| David A. Reid | HB183 | 01/14/2026 | First-time home buyer savings plan; townhouses, principal limits. |
| David A. Reid | HB269 | 01/14/2026 | Motorized mobility vehicles; established as a new class of vehicle, civil penalties. |
| David A. Reid, Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Virgil Thornton | HB369 | 01/14/2026 | Electric utilities; renewable portfolio standard program, zero-carbon electricity, etc. |
| David A. Reid | HB370 | 01/14/2026 | Industrial/commercial use facilities; local authority on requiring water consumption in zoning ordinance. |
| David A. Reid, Dan I. Helmer, and Virgil Thornton | HB404 | 01/14/2026 | Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship and Memorial Program; scholarships, administration. |
| David A. Reid | HB409 | 01/14/2026 | Passing a stopped school bus; divided highways, access roads, and certain driveways. |
| David A. Reid | HB410 | 01/14/2026 | School boards; participation in SAT School Day program required, student participation. |
| David A. Reid | HB411 | 01/14/2026 | Commissioner of Highways; certain agreements with U.S. Department of Transportation. |
| David A. Reid | HB562 | 01/14/2026 | Electric cooperatives; authorized to establish and implement a virtual power plant program. |
| David A. Reid | HB563 | 01/14/2026 | Personal property taxation; establishes classification for major energy consumer equipment upgrades. |
| David A. Reid | HB564 | 01/14/2026 | Bus obstruction monitoring systems; parking, stopping, and standing enforcement. |
| David A. Reid | HB1127 | 01/14/2026 | Toll rate; increases State Corporation Commission duration and timeline for review. |
| David A. Reid | HB1130 | 01/14/2026 | Workforce housing for employees; county bd. of supervisor or school bd., lease of surplus property. |
| David A. Reid | HB1132 | 01/14/2026 | Data center tax revenue; creates local residential renewable energy incentive program. |
| David A. Reid and Phil M. Hernandez | HB1133 | 01/14/2026 | Virginia Solar Energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems Program; established. |
