Friends,
We need change.
That’s the message I heard last year when I ran for state Senate. It’s the message I heard from constituents during the General Assembly. It’s the message I’m hearing at protests, from advocacy organizations, and from community members.
This spring, the Virginia General Assembly had an historic, progressive session, and a number of bills are now law, beginning yesterday, July 1. I’m excited to share some highlights.
Criminal justice reform:
We passed legislation to encourage restorative justice, dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline, and reducing the criminalization of minor, non-criminal offenses.
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SB 1 abolishes the suspension of drivers’ licenses for non-payment of court fines.
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SB 2 decriminalizes simple possession of marijuana by changing the violation from a crime into a civil penalty of no more than $25. The bill will also allow anyone to perform 5 hours of community service as an alternative punishment.
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SB 103 allows for any person sentenced to a life-term in prison for crimes committed as a juvenile and who has served at least 20 years of their sentence to be eligible for parole.
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SB 513 removes the provisions that can suspend a person’s driver’s license for certain non-driving related offenses.
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SB 788 raises the felony grand larceny threshold from $500 to $1000, bringing Virginia in line with 21 other states.
Fighting for our environment:
Much like our criminal justice system, environmental issues disproportionately impact communities of color. During the General Assembly, we worked on legislation to address climate change, and I am especially proud of my bill, SB 406, that aims to address the climate crisis by focusing on racial justice.
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SB 406 will establish a framework for the Virginia State Government to address environmental justice through the creation and implementation of environmental justice strategies and the incorporation of environmental justice into agency regulations and policies going forward.
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SB 851, also known as the Clean Virginia Energy Act, will put Virginia on a path to a 100% carbon-free electric grid by 2045. It significantly expands investments in solar and offshore wind power, strengthens SCC oversight and ratepayer protections, and includes requirements that utility companies retain local workers for grid modernization projects to maximize the economic benefit and encourage workforce development right here in Virginia.
Increasing protections for workers:
The pandemic made it clear that far too many workers across the commonwealth don’t have the protection or job security they need to prioritize their health and lives of their families, while simultaneously navigating work expectations. As of July 1, there are now several new laws that will increase protections for Virginia’s workers. Workers deserve a voice in their workplace and they must be heard.
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SB 7 puts Virginia on the path to a $15 minimum wage.
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SB 8 establishes prevailing wage requirements for contractors and subcontractors seeking any public contract with a state agency. This will increase the pay equity between salaried workers and the many contractors we have working in our state.
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SB 939 paves the way for collective bargaining for municipal employees in our counties, cities, and towns. Unions and collective bargaining units empower workers to come together and speak with one voice in an attempt to advocate as a whole.
Gun violence prevention:
The toll gun violence has taken on our communities is incalculable, and this General Assembly I was proud to stand with my fellow legislators as we took steps to end violence that has plagued our community. The following bills will be taking effect as we take another step towards healing the wounds gun violence has left on our community.
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SB 69 reinstates the one-handgun-a-month law, which prohibits any person who is not a licensed firearms dealer from purchasing more than one handgun in a month. This measure will reduce the ability of individuals to amass large numbers of handguns in a short period of time.
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SB 70 establishes universal background checks for firearm sales from licensed firearms dealers across Virginia.
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SB 240 creates a procedure for an emergency substantial risk order to temporarily prohibit a person who poses a substantial risk of injury to themselves or others from possessing a firearm.
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SB 263 requires that concealed handgun permit applicants participate in an in-person course to demonstrate competence with a handgun.
Equality, civil rights, & immigration:
Building a more equitable and just commonwealth requires a recommitment to advancing civil rights. It also means expanding our focus to include LGBTQIA+ members of our community, women, and immigrants.
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SJ 1 was a long-overdue resolution to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution of the United States once and for all. Every single member of the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus signed onto this initiative as a co-patron.
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SB 50 bans hair discrimination based on racial identifiers that include hair texture and hair type. Virginia is the fourth state — and the first southern state — to ban this type of discrimination, and it is a good first step in ending discrimination against Black youth in our schools.
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SB 245 prohibits any health care professional from performing conversion therapy as a form of counseling to anyone under the age of 18.
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As we continue to grapple with Virginia’s past, SB 636 strikes racist and discriminatory language and provisions from Virginia’s Acts of Assembly.
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SB 868, the Virginia Values Act, is a collection of bills that prohibit discrimination in public accommodations, employment, credit, and housing based on sexual orientation and gender identity
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SB 991 establishes the Office of New Americans within the Department of Social Services, as well as an advisory board, to assist immigrant integration within the Commonwealth on economic, social, and cultural levels.
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SB 935 will allow those who meet eligibility standards to receive in-state tuition regardless of immigration status.
Voting Rights:
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SB 65 repeals Virginia’s photo ID requirement. This is an unnecessary barrier to the ballot box that disproportionately affects senior citizens and communities of color and aims to prevent participation in our democratic process. Repealing it has been a priority for Senate Democrats for several years.
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SB 111 allows any qualified voter to vote by absentee ballot without having to give an excuse. No Excuse Absentee Voting is especially timely during this pandemic, as we move towards our November Presidential Election.
In the coming weeks, the General Assembly will hold another special session. It’s my aim to focus on continued criminal justice reform and helping our communities continue to navigate and recover from COVID-19. Thank you to the constituents, activists, and organizations who’ve spoken with myself and my team about the changes you want to see in the Commonwealth. I will continue to take your concerns to our General Assembly.
If you need assistance during these challenging times or if you want to schedule a phone or conference call, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. As a reminder, email is the best way to contact us. We can be reached at [email protected].
— Ghazala
| Paid for and authorized by Friends of Ghazala Hashmi |
Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond VA 23235 United States
Senator Ghazala Hashmi was elected to represent Virginia Senate District 10 in 2019. She has led efforts in the General Assembly to support education, protect healthcare and the environment, and prevent gun violence. Senator Hashmi is committed to ensuring Virginia's government works for everyone.
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