Bill Commons

VA SB 624

died on adjournment

Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia", penalty.

Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper

Description

Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia"; penalty. Defines "Islamophobia" as it relates to the crime of assault and battery as malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims. This definition applies regardless of whether the victim is actually a practitioner of Islam, provided that the perpetrator targeted such victim based on a perceived adherence to such faith. The bill also clarifies that religious conviction includes Islam. The bill directs the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to include the bill's definition of "Islamophobia" in its hate crime reporting central repository.

Introduced
2026-01-14
Status date
Latest action
2026-02-02 — Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)
Bill type
bill
Last updated

Sponsors

  • Saddam Azlan Salimprimary
  • Atoosa R. Reasercosponsor
  • Sam Rasoulcosponsor
  • Marty Martinezcosponsor
  • Michelle Lopes Maldonadocosponsor
  • Rozia A. Henson, Jr.cosponsor
  • C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr.cosponsor
  • Kelly K. Convirs-Fowlercosponsor
  • Joshua G. Colecosponsor
  • Irene Shincosponsor
  • Schuyler T. VanValkenburgcosponsor
  • Kannan Srinivasancosponsor
  • Stella G. Pekarskycosponsor
  • Michael J. Jonescosponsor
  • Jennifer D. Carroll Foycosponsor
  • Jennifer B. Boyskocosponsor
  • Lashrecse D. Airdcosponsor
  • Nadarius E. Clarkcosponsor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

  1. 2026-01-14

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104940D

    filing,introduction

  2. 2026-01-14

    Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

    referral-committee

  3. 2026-01-20

    Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/20/2026 4:32 pm)

  4. 2026-02-02

    Senate committee offered

  5. 2026-02-02

    Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)

Versions

Documents

Votes

  • Continued to next session in Courts of Justice

    2026-02-02 · pass · 15-0

    Member-level votes (15)
    • Scott A. Surovell: yes
    • Mark D. Obenshain: yes
    • Ryan T. McDougle: yes
    • R. Creigh Deeds: yes
    • Richard H. Stuart: yes
    • William M. Stanley, Jr.: yes
    • Jennifer B. Boysko: yes
    • Mark J. Peake: yes
    • Lamont Bagby: yes
    • Lashrecse D. Aird: yes
    • Jennifer D. Carroll Foy: yes
    • Russet Perry: yes
    • Saddam Azlan Salim: yes
    • Barbara A. Favola: yes
    • Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr.: yes

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:35:59.552682Z

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