Covenants not to compete; includes health care professionals, civil penalty.

This legislation strengthens protections for health care workers by prohibiting non-compete agreements for physicians, nurses, and other medical practitioners in Virginia. By banning these restrictive covenants, the bill aims to reduce barriers to employment and improve patient access to care across the Commonwealth. Previously, employers could prevent medical staff from working for competing practices or hospitals within a certain geographic area after leaving their jobs. Under the new law, health care professionals will have more flexibility to change employers or start their own practices without fear of legal retaliation. This shift is expected to increase competition among local medical providers, potentially addressing staffing shortages in the Arlington area and giving patients greater freedom to follow their preferred doctors to new practice locations.