VA SB 624
Status unknownAssault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia", penalty.
Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · upper
Quick answers
Did VA SB 624 pass?
The current status of VA SB 624 is not known from the official record. Latest recorded action (2026-02-02): Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N)
What is VA SB 624 about?
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.
Who sponsors VA SB 624?
Saddam Azlan Salim is the primary sponsor of VA SB 624, joined by 17 cosponsors.
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
- 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
2026-01-14
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104940D
filing,introduction
2026-01-14
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
referral-committee
2026-01-20
Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/20/2026 4:32 pm)
2026-02-02
Senate committee offered
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
Inspect retained evidence for changes recorded after evidence tracking began:
Use this data
Every field on this page is available from the free public API — no key or licence required. Fetch this bill as JSON: GET /api/v1/bills?jurisdiction=VA&identifier=SB 624. See the API docs or the MCP server for AI assistants.
Known limitations
- Sponsor party and chamber affiliation are not yet captured by this API.
- Committee referrals are not yet captured.
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