Virginia Governor Signs Bills to Fight Racism and Antisemitism

Photo byPriscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

RICHMOND, Va. – Governor Glenn Youngkin has signed two bills that expand criminal penalties against bigotry. ;

According to an August 28 media release, Youngin signed HB 18 and SB 7 to ensure that ethnicity is explicitly recognized among the protected classes.

“Today we come together as Virginians to sign legislation that builds the framework to take action because hatred, intolerance, and antisemitism have no place in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin, via the statement.

“I’m proud to be here today with Governor Youngkin and leaders of Virginia’s Jewish Communities to enshrine these much-needed protections into law. As Israel stands on the verge of a two-front war, I have personally witnessed the atrocities imposed upon the Jewish people based on antisemitic beliefs. We have a moral obligation to stamp it out in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States,” said Senator Bryce Reeves.

A summary of HB 18 and SB 7 reads:

Hate crimes and discrimination; ethnic animosity; penalties. Provides that it is the policy of the Commonwealth to safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination in employment and in places of public accommodation because of such individual's ethnic origin and prohibits such discrimination.

The bill also adds victims who are intentionally selected because of their ethnic origin to the categories of victims whose intentional selection for a hate crime involving assault, assault and battery, or trespass for the purpose of damaging another's property results in a higher criminal penalty for the offense.

The bill also states that no provider or user of an interactive computer service on the Internet shall be liable for any action voluntarily taken by it in good faith to restrict access to material that the provider or user considers to be intended to incite hatred on the basis of ethnic origin.

“As the grandson of Holocaust survivors and a Jewish parent whose kids have confronted antisemitism, I know how important it is that all Virginians are safe regardless of their ethnicity,” said Delegate Dan Helmer.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritize the safety and security of all Virginians as our Commonwealth continues to be a beacon of freedom and opportunity,” said Youngkin.