Dear friends,

This week, I’ll give an update about the progress of my legislation, honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., recognize Refugee Advocacy Day, and provide information about COVID-19 at-home tests. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter and staying informed about the current happenings around Virginia Senate District 10.

Legislation Update
The second week of session was busy, with many of my bills moving through subcommittees and full committees.

SB 156 amends the staffing requirements for English Learner (EL) teachers throughout the Commonwealth. It passed out of the Senate Ed and Health Public Education Subcommittee on a vote of 4-1 and now heads to the full Senate Ed and Health Committee.

SB 157 declares that it is the objective of the Commonwealth to fund Standards of Quality positions at a rate that is at or above the national average. It passed out of the Senate Ed and Health Public Education Subcommittee on a vote of 4-1 and now heads to the full Senate Ed and Health Committee.

SB 239 and SB 261 add science, technology, engineering, mathematics and computing (STEM+C) to Virginia's Standards of Learning and ensure we capture Virginia's existing STEM+C workforce profile accurately. Both bills passed the Senate Ed and Health Public Education Subcommittee on votes of 5-0. They now head before the full Senate Ed and Health Committee.

SB 241 creates the Renal Disease Council and the Renal Disease Council Fund, passed out of the full Senate Education and Health Committee on a 10-5 vote. It now heads to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

SB 242 and SB 244 prohibit insurerers and employers from discriminating against living organ donors. These two bills were incorporated into Senator Adam Ebbin’s SB 271. The new, combined bill passed out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on a 15-0 vote. It now heads to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

SB 257 authorizes Virginia to become a signatory to the Interstate Counseling Compact, and it passed out of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee on a vote of 13-2. It now heads to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.

SB 263 directs the Department for Housing and Community Development to expand the existing Housing and Supportive Services Interagency Leadership Team (ILT) initiative to include older Virginians. It passed out the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on a vote of 14-0-1. It was on First Read today on the Senate floor.

SB 270 establishes the Interagency Language Access Working Group with the purpose of maximizing state policies, resources, technical assistance, and procurement practices to further language access and equity in the Commonwealth’s agencies. It passed out of the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee on a vote of 8-7 and now heads the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee.


During yesterday’s Subcommittee on Public Education, we heard testimony from Richmond City Public Schools and other educators about the urgency for support for English learners in the Commonwealth.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2022
This past Monday was the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr– a giant who stood against the structures of racism and bigotry. Although we identify this specific day to honor his courage and sacrifice, developing actions around his legacy is even more vital. I hope that we continue to work hard to translate his words and vision into a reality that continues to build a more just and equitable society.

Refugee Advocacy Day
As of 2021, over 12,000 refugees and resettled individuals from 26 different countries call Virginia home. On Wednesday, constituents from across the Commonwealth came to the General Assembly to commemorate Refugee Advocacy Day

The Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Caucus joined Church World Services and other organizations to discuss mutual legislative priorities that would aid resettled communities and help them become a part of this Commonwealth’s fabric. We heard many inspiring stories that will continue to motivate this mission through the duration of the session.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
The Omicron variant has caused a nationwide surge in COVID-19 infections. Under a new directive from the Biden Administration, every home in the United States is now eligible to order up to four at-home COVID-19 tests for free. To learn more about the program and order your tests, visit covidtests.gov. Those who cannot access the website or need additional help placing an order can call 800-232-0233.

In addition to this new program, remember that community testing sites are available across the Commonwealth. You can find testing sites on the VDH website, which also filters locations for free testing, Spanish language accessibility, and pediatric testing capabilities.

Connecting With My Office
My staff continue to hold meetings with constituents via Zoom or by phone. You can now sign up for a meeting with either of my staff members with our easy scheduling app:
June Laffey - Chief of Staff
Charles Turner - Legislative Assistant

You can also email us at [email protected].

— Ghazala

[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Paid for by Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond, VA 23235
United States
www.GhazalaHashmi.com [[link removed]]
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .