VA HB627

Prohibits employers from entering into, enforcing, or threatening to enforce non-compete agreements with health care professionals licensed by Virginia boards including Medicine, Nursing, Counseling, Optometry, Psychology, and Social Work

Allows non-compete agreements with health care professionals only in business sale transactions involving all or substantially all operating assets and goodwill, provided the covenant is reasonable in scope, duration, and geographic area

Permits employers to require health care professionals employed fewer than five years to repay recruitment costs, relocation expenses, signing bonuses, and training expenses upon departure

Employers may still include customer non-solicitation provisions in health care professional employment agreements for a stated period following termination

Violations carry a $10,000 civil penalty per occurrence; affected employees may sue within two years for liquidated damages, lost compensation, and attorney fees, with protections against employer retaliation