Boysko Bulletin: Week Four Report From Richmond

Dear Friend, 

This week was a powerful reminder of what is possible when people come together. I was honored to see so many individuals travel to Richmond for the Walk for Peace and to hear the teachings of the Venerable Buddhist monks. Their message was clear: if we don’t work to create peace within ourselves, we will not have a truly peaceful society.  Inner peace extends outward, strengthening families, communities, and relationships even in times of disagreement. As the 2026 session moves forward, that mindset continues to guide my work. Unity makes us stronger, and it is this belief that fuels my commitment to advancing legislation that reflects the values and needs of our community.

On Friday, February 6th, Governor Spanberger signed my bill, SB 449, advancing the constitutional amendment to protect the fundamental freedom to make decisions for ourselves regarding the full scope of reproductive healthcare. Now voters across the Commonwealth will have the ultimate say through a ballot referendum in November. It has been an honor to carry legislation that affirms the ability of women and their families to have private, informed conversations with their healthcare providers about reproductive options. I’ve been working on issues surrounding reproductive health for my entire adult life - from marching on Washington as early as 1989 to serving on the Board of Directors for Repro Rising’s predecessor NARAL Pro-Choice VA, to carrying reproductive freedom legislation year after year in the General Assembly.  These deeply personal decisions belong in the exam room and not in the hands of politicians.  The Constitutional Amendment, SR1, and the accompanying ballot initiative language, SB 449, bring us closer to honoring that principle. 

Another bill I gave deep and thoughtful consideration to was SB 339. This legislation would allow a mentally capable adult diagnosed with six months or less to live to request that an attending health care provider prescribe self-administered aid-in-dying medication. I did not approach this bill lightly. Many of my constituents asked me to carry this legislation. They want a measure of control and dignity at the end of life, rather than being forced to endure the full progression of a terminal disease as their quality of life diminishes, often forced to endure excruciating pain when medication is no longer  effective. Drawing from my own personal experience, I understand the profound impact these illnesses have on individuals and families. The intent of SB 339 is to place decision-making back in the hands of the patient—ensuring that compassion, autonomy, and personal freedom guide end-of-life care, rather than the disease itself. 

This past week, SB 339 did not advance out of the full Senate committee. I want to sincerely thank every stakeholder, advocate, and individual who took the time to speak on this bill. Their dedication and willingness to share deeply personal perspectives made this important conversation possible. While the legislation did not move forward, I believe we are making meaningful progress by engaging in these difficult but necessary discussions. I am grateful to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and to all of the people who came to testify for their thoughtful participation and for approaching this issue with care, respect, and compassion. 

I will continue the work to support and represent our district to the best of my ability, and I look forward to the work ahead throughout this year’s session. I’ve enjoyed your visits, appreciate your calls and emails, and look forward to continuing to stay in touch.

Kindest regards, 

Jennifer B. Boysko

Member, Senate of Virginia

Representing the 38th Senate District making up the northernmost portions of Fairfax County (Great Falls, Herndon, McLean, Reston, WolfTrap, parts of unincorporated Vienna and a slice of Falls Church)

Photo Gallery

Senator Boysko welcoming the monks on the Walk for Peace to Richmond and presenting them with a Senate Commendation honoring their efforts for peace.

 Senator Boysko presenting her anti rent gouging bill

Senator Boysko presented SB 812 in committee  - she serves on the committee so she can present from her seat; this bill would ensure that forensic nurses who treat sexual assault survivors are reimbursed regardless of whether the survivor reports the crime to law enforcement.

These are just a few of the advocates and stakeholders visiting with Senator Boysko this past week.

Legislative Updates

You can follow my legislation on lis.virginia.gov - this is my page. I’ve added the status of my legislative slate below. Please reach out if you are interested in a particular bill. We take testimony in committees from the public. I look forward to seeing many of you in Richmond. Please reach out to me by email at [email protected] if you would like to discuss my legislation or ask that I support other legislation.

SB2 Paid family and medical leave insurance program; definitions, notice requirements, civil action

Status: reported from Senate Commerce and Labor committee and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations 

SB212: TPA-certified optometrists; sale and dispensation of Schedule VI controlled substances; requirements

Status: Passed by the Senate; waiting to be heard in the House of Delegates

SB214:  Commission Civic Education; Website

Status: Passed by the Senate; waiting to be heard in the House Rules Committee

SB215: Prohibiting employer seeking wage or salary history of prospective employees; wage or salary range transparency; cause of action.

Status: Passed by the Senate; waiting for a House Committee

SB216: Guardianship; copy of appointment, termination, or modification order; Department of Medical Assistance Services

Status: Passed in the Senate, waiting to be heard by the House Courts of Justice Committee

SB217: National Teacher Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund; eligibility; incentive grant awards.

Status: reported from Senate Education and Health committee and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations 

SB335: Affirmative Defense or Reduced Penalty for Mental Illness, Neurocognitive Disorder, or Intellectual or Developmental Disability 

Status: will be heard Monday in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee

SB341: Charlie's Law to Protect All Students; private elementary and secondary schools; student codes of conduct; policies relating to bullying and cyberbullying prevention and parental notification; requirements.

Status:  passed the Senate; waiting to be heard in the House Education Committee

SB343: Charter; Town of Herndon

Status: passed the Senate; waiting to be heard in the House Counties, Cities and Towns Committee

SB344: Department of Wildlife Resources; premature separation and hybridization of mammalian wildlife prohibited; exceptions

Status: Up for a Final Vote in the Senate on Monday

SB348: Storage of firearms in a residence where a minor or person prohibited from possessing a firearm is present; penalty

Status: Up for a Final Vote in the Senate on Monday

SB355: Local anti-rent gouging authority; civil penalty

Status:  continued to 2027; expected to be heard by the Housing Commission

SB359:Health care; decision-making; end of life; penalties

Status: failed to report from the Senate Education and Health Committee

SB373:Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; noncompliance as defense to action for possession for nonpayment of rent

Status: on the Senate Floor

SB374:  Newborn screening requirements; Gaucher disease

Status: on the Senate Floor

SB379: Board of Pharmacy; regulation of psilocybin

Status: on the Senate Floor

SB380: Income tax subtraction; broadband grant fund awards

Status: continued to 2027

SB406:  Virginia State Bar; work group to study the use of nondisclosure or confidentiality provisions in certain settlement agreements; report

Status: will be heard Monday in the Courts of Justice Committee

SB407: Transportation electrification; integrated resource planning; fast-charging stations; cost recovery by electric utilities

Status: Will be heard Monday in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee

SB409: Assisted Living Facilities; Electronic Monitoring in Resident Rooms 

Status: waiting for a docket in the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee

SB412: Court appearance of a person not free on bail

Status: reported from Senate Courts of Justice committee and rereferred to Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee

SB416: Deferred disposition in a criminal case; persons with autism, intellectual disabilities, or developmental disabilities; expungement

Status: waiting for a docket in the Courts of Justice Committee

SB420: Extreme Weather Taxpayer Protection Program and Fund established.

Status: failed to report in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee

SB449 Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom(submitting to qualified voters)

Status: Signed by the Governor!

SB812 Victims of crime; reimbursement for expenses; Coordinator of the Virginia Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Coordination Program; work group

Status: Reported from the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations

SJ1 Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (second reference)

Status: Passed the General Assembly

SR18 Commending the Walk for Peace

Status: Passed the Senate and presented to the Monks

Fight Against The Tysons Casino 

For the third year in a row, a Tysons Casino bill  has been introduced into the Virginia Senate. The bill reported from the Senate General Laws and Technology committee and has been rereferred to the Senate Finance and Appropriations. I vehemently oppose SB 756, and will continue to proudly stand up for my constituents in the fight against it. I have heard from thousands of you in our community, listened to your concerns, and agree that a casino has no place in Tysons Corner. As the session continues, I will do everything in my power to kill this bill once and for all. 

This is not a partisan issue. The voters and residents of Fairfax county have overwhelmingly come out against this plan, and are deeply concerned about the ramifications of what a casino in Tysons Corner would mean. In every other case, casino proposals have been brought to the General Assembly at the specific request of the local government representing that community. 

In fact, this past December the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to oppose a casino in Tysons. All of us must continue to work together to fight for our values because there is so much at stake. If you would like to get involved further in stopping the casino, you can visit the No Fairfax Casino site and find opportunities to stay involved.  

Constituent Services

For detailed information on constituent services offered by my office, see my website, https://jenniferboysko.com/constituent-services/. Information available includes:

• Resources for Those Impacted by the current federal administration
• Additional Resources for Federal Employees Facing Unemployment
• Help Paying Bills
• Transportation Discounts: 50% Off Metrorail and Metrobus for SNAP Recipients
• Reach Out for Mental Health Support - 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Addiction Recovery
• Know Your Rights - Resources for Immigrants

Give Back

I am honored to work with the Virginia branch of Compassion & Choices this session to advocate for peaceful end of life healthcare options. The Compassion & Choices volunteers have worked year round educating legislators by sharing their personal experiences. Although the bill failed to report from the Committee, we will continue to advocate for people facing the most difficult end of life struggles.

Compassion & Choices is a national organization dedicated to informing, empowering, advocating for, and defending patients at the end of life. Its mission is centered on improving care through meaningful systemic and policy change. This work includes developing patient-directed end-of-life care demonstration projects, providing continuing medical and professional education, and advancing federal legislative and regulatory reforms. These efforts focus on improving care for individuals living with dementia, addressing inequities in end-of-life healthcare, and transforming the emergency room experience for patients nearing the end of life.

By 2028, Compassion & Choices aims to ensure that at least 50 percent of Americans live in states where medical aid in dying is authorized and accessible. The organization is working to authorize medical aid in dying in additional states, establish pathways toward access in larger jurisdictions, integrate this option into standard patient-directed end-of-life care, and repeal the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act. Ultimately, Compassion & Choices seeks to ensure that every individual is informed, empowered, and engaged—so they can direct, access, and receive end-of-life healthcare that reflects their values, priorities, and dignity.

Here is a link for providing support to these efforts: https://compassionandchoices.org/ways-to-give/ 

In the News

Spanberger signs bill moving redistricting vote one step closer

More details revealed in indictments against Natural Bridge Zoo employees

Amended cannabis market bill passes despite split among Senate Democrats

Video: Gov. Abigail Spanberger, Mayor Danny Avula Welcome Buddhist Monks to Richmond on Day 100 of Their Walk for Peace

PETA Statement re Indictments Against Current, Former Owner-Operators of Natural 

Virginia medical aid in dying bill fails to advance in Senate committee 

Rent Stabilization bills backed by Richmond fail in Virginia General Assembly 

From Prescription Costs to Caregiving: AARP Virginia Brings Aging Issues to the Capital 

Events

Monday Nights at 7 pm/Trivia Night at Aslin

We welcome notices about events that are free or very low cost.

Keep in Touch

I’m excited to be back in Richmond for the 2026 General Assembly Session.  During Session, I work with my Chief of Staff Karen Harrison, session aides Toby Anthony and Mallory Lenz, interns from Hollins University - Mary Sheetz and Via Adongo, and interns from the University of Richmond - Morgan Koop and Michelle Bergman, and in District, Kathy Shupe, Juliet Morro, and Aditi Goel. For constituent services and to schedule meetings with your community group, please call (703) 437-0086 or email [email protected]. Friend me on Facebook and follow me on X and Instagram.

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Friends of Jennifer Boysko
PO Box 247
Herndon, VA 20172
United States  

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