Friends,

Yesterday, our nation watched the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. We also marked a remarkable moment in history: the inauguration of a woman to the second highest elected office in this country. It’s hard for me to put into words how truly profound this moment is for me, my daughters, and for numerous other women throughout this country. Vice President Harris affects our history in so many ways, as a South Asian and Black woman, and as the first woman to shatter this “highest, hardest glass ceiling” of our Executive Branch.

President Biden opened his comments with an essential reminder about our collective path forward:

"Now, on this hallowed ground, where just a few days ago, violence sought to shake the Capitol’s very foundation, we come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power, as we have for more than two centuries."

The foundation of our democracy is strong, and the ground is hallowed by those ideals for which we continue to strive.

As we enter this new chapter in American history, I’m honored to share the work we’re doing in the 2021 Virginia General Assembly to advance progress and have our great commonwealth lead the way forward.

General Assembly updates
Since my last report on the General Assembly, I brought several bills in various Senate committees and subcommittees:

SB 1189 enables Virginia to enter into the Occupational Therapy Interjurisdictional Licensure Compact with other states. The Compact would allow for licensed OTs and OTAs to practice in other states within the Compact. This bill reported out of the Subcommittee on Health and will be heard by the Committee on Health and Education.

SB 1187 extends direct access to physical therapy services from 30 to 60 days. This bill also reported out of the Subcommittee on Health and is headed to the full Committee.

SB 1358 requires the Safety and Health Codes Board to establish standards to better protect employees from heat illness. The bill was passed by for the day by the Commerce and Labor Committee, but will be heard again next week.

SB 1188 establishes the Virginia Agriculture Food Assistance (VAFA) Program. The program assists Virginia’s farmers and food producers in donating, selling, or providing agricultural products to charitable food assistance organizations. The bill reported out of the Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and was sent to Senate Finance.

SB 1203 sought to expand protected communities within the definition of hate crimes and also protect individuals targeted by their association to a protected community. This bill did not report out of the Judiciary Committee, but we will continue to work on developing our understanding of the ways in which hate crimes seek to terrorize entire communities of people.

SB 1314 directs the Virginia Economic Development Partnership Authority to establish an Office of Education and Labor Market Alignment (the Office) to coordinate data analysis on workforce and higher education alignment and translate data to partners. The Office will provide a unified, consistent source of information or analysis to better assist policy development and implementation related to talent development. The Office will partner with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, institutions of higher education, the Virginia Employment Commission, GO Virginia, and other relevant entities to offer resources and expertise related to education and labor market alignment. This bill has reported out of General Laws and Technology.

SB 1318 establishes the Interagency Environmental Justice Working Group as an advisory council in the executive branch of Virginia’s state government. This body will work to further environmental justice in the Commonwealth and direct each of the Governor’s Secretariats to designate at least one environmental justice coordinator to represent the agency as a member of the working group.

Schedule and availability
As we continue our work during the General Assembly, my staff and I are still available for meetings with constituents and advocacy groups. If you would like to schedule a meeting with me or my staff, please do so using the following links:

• Constituent meeting requests
• Organization meeting requests

Here is my schedule during the Session: 

• Monday - Thursday: Senate Floor, noon to adjournment (varies)
• The Senate Democratic Caucus meets an hour prior to the Senate Floor 
• Monday mornings: Local Government Committee, 9am to conclusion of docket
• Monday afternoons: Higher Ed Subcommittee, 30 minutes after adjournment
• Tuesday afternoons: Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources Committee, 30 minutes after adjournment
• Wednesday afternoons: General Laws & Technology Committee, 30 minutes after adjournment
• Thursday mornings: Education and Health Committee, 8am to conclusion of docket
• Thursday afternoons: Public Education Subcommittee, 30 minutes after adjournment
• Friday: Senate Floor, 11am to adjournment (varies)

During my committee and Floor times, my staff will be happy to meet with you. Three location options are available (Zoom, phone, or limited in-person). For in-person meetings, we will contact you with available location options; masks and safety protocols are required.

— Ghazala Hashmi