summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/14/2026
03/14/2026
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
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.
AI Summary
This bill amends Virginia law to define "Islamophobia" as malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims, clarifying that this applies even if the victim isn't actually Muslim but is targeted based on a perceived adherence to the faith. It also confirms 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 this definition in its hate crime reporting system, which is a central repository for tracking bias-motivated offenses. This addition aims to help law enforcement, prosecutors, and state agencies identify and classify such offenses, without creating a new crime or restricting protected speech.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (18)
Saddam Salim (D)*,
Lashrecse Aird (D),
Jennifer Boysko (D),
Jennifer Carroll Foy (D),
Nadarius Clark (D),
Joshua Cole (D),
Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),
C.E. Hayes (D),
J.R. Henson (D),
Michael Jones (D),
Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),
Fernando Martinez (D),
Stella Pekarsky (D),
Sam Rasoul (D),
Atoosa Reaser (D),
Irene Shin (D),
Kannan Srinivasan (D),
Schuyler VanValkenburg (D),
Last Action
Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) (on 02/02/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB624 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB624/text/SB624SC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/20/2026 4:32 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1092391.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB624/text/SB624 |
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