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SB 624

BillStateVASenate
Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia," penalty.
About This Bill
Latest Action · Jul 21, 2026
Continued from last session
Session
2027
Introduced
Jan 14, 2026
Primary Sponsor
Saddam Azlan Salim· primary

Summary

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A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-57 of the Code of Virginia, relating to assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia"; penalty. Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia"; penalty. Defines "Islamophobia" as it relates to the crime of assault and battery as malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims. This definition applies regardless of whether the victim is actually a practitioner of Islam, provided that the perpetrator targeted such victim based on a perceived adherence to such faith. The bill also clarifies that religious conviction includes Islam. The bill directs the Department of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to include the bill's definition of "Islamophobia" in its hate crime reporting central repository.

Co-sponsors (17)

Lashrecse D. Aird · cosponsor
Jennifer B. Boysko · cosponsor
Jennifer D. Carroll Foy · cosponsor
Michael J. Jones · cosponsor
Stella G. Pekarsky · cosponsor
Kannan Srinivasan · cosponsor
Schuyler T. VanValkenburg · cosponsor
Nadarius E. Clark · cosponsor
Joshua G. Cole · cosponsor
Kelly K. Convirs-Fowler · cosponsor
C.E. Cliff Hayes, Jr. · cosponsor
Rozia A. Henson, Jr. · cosponsor
Michelle Lopes Maldonado · cosponsor
Marty Martinez · cosponsor
Sam Rasoul · cosponsor
Atoosa R. Reaser · cosponsor
Irene Shin · cosponsor

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