Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter reflects on the Independence Day holiday, shares information on new laws that recently went into effect on July 1, and discusses an opportunity for community involvement in the City of Richmond. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter and for staying informed.

Naturalization Ceremony for New Citizens of the United States

As part of an annual Fourth of July celebration, I was honored to join a standing-room-only crowd of Richmond-area well-wishers as we welcomed and celebrated our newest Americans at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. Judge Roger Gregory of the Fourth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals administered the oath of allegiance, the final step of the immigration process to gain citizenship in the United States. Seventy-five people from 36 countries rose to take their oath, and their presence was a testament to the diverse countries from which our newest Americans come, bringing their skills, cultures, and passions with them. In his eloquent comments, Judge Gregory spoke to the ideals of America’s democracy and recalled the words of the French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville whose 19th century ethnography and travelogue of the nascent country still offers a prescient view of the complexities and challenges of this “experiment in democracy.” In Democracy in America, Tocqueville writes, “Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.” In the 21st century, as we approach the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 2026), we still struggle with the potentials of democracy, freedom, and the complex challenges of creating “a more perfect Union.”

Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America

"I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God."

New Laws Take Effect

During the 2023 session, 2200 bills were introduced and over 700 bills were signed into law. Unless specified otherwise, legislation passed by the General Assembly takes effect on July 1, according to the Virginia Constitution. Here are just a few laws that went into effect this week: 

School Safety

• SB 821 addresses communication gaps in the current background check reporting system. The bill requires each division superintendent to annually designate an employee as the division safety official and provide updated contact information to the Virginia Center for School and Campus Safety. This reporting facilitates information sharing about arrests and convictions among school divisions.

Health Care

• HB 2033 makes Virginia a signatory in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact, increasing the public’s access to audiology and speech-language pathology services. Virginia is the 24th state to join the Compact. 
• SB 948 allows pharmacists to initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer controlled substances or devices for the initiation of treatment of group A Streptococcus bacteria infection, influenza virus infection, COVID-19 virus infection, and urinary tract infection to persons 18 years of age or older with whom the pharmacist has a bona fide pharmacist-patient relationship in accordance with regulations set forth by the Board of Pharmacy.

Public Safety

• SB 982/HB 1932 requires drivers to change lanes or reduce their speed when passing stationary vehicles that have activated their warning signal flashers, displayed caution signs, or been marked with properly lit flares or torches on certain highways when safe and reasonable to do so. Violations will result in a traffic infraction.
• SB 1291/HB 1572 tackles the problem of swatting and other hoax emergency calls. This new law provides penalties for false emergency communication to emergency personnel that leads to a response and may be a Class 1 misdemeanor, up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Tenants Rights

• HB 1702 requires landlords who own four or more units provide written notice of a rent increase to their tenants at least 60 days in advance.

Employment

• SB 1086 requires Virginia employers with 50 or more employees are required to provide eligible employees with up to 60 business days of unpaid leave to serve as an organ donor and up to 30 business days of unpaid leave to serve as a bone marrow donor in any 12-month period.
• HB 1924 requires employees with disabilities hired after July 1, 2023, to be paid the state minimum wage. Those workers hired prior to that date will see a phased increase in wages over the next seven years, with Virginia’s subminimum wage policies ending completely by 2030. 

A comprehensive list of legislation that passed during the 2023 session can be found in the 2023 In Due Course publication by the Division of Legislative Services and on the Virginia Legislative Information System. 

Richmond City Charter Review Commission Seeks Input

The Richmond City Charter Review Commission is holding multiple public information and engagement sessions throughout July. Established in 2022, the Richmond City Charter Review Commission is composed of nine community members, who have been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of and making recommendations for revisions to the Richmond City Charter which enumerates the governmental powers granted to the City of Richmond by the Virginia General Assembly. Richmond residents are encouraged to participate in this important process and share their thoughts, suggestions, and questions with the Commission. The Commission will submit its final recommendations in a report to Richmond City Council and the Mayor on July 31. More information, including how to participate virtually, can be found on the Richmond City Charter Commission website. 

Connecting With My Office

Please email us at [email protected] or call our office at 804-698-7510. If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
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Richmond, VA 23235
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