I am Scott E. Peyton, Director of Government Affairs at Prison Fellowship, and I am writing to express Prison Fellowship’s support of HB 16 and HB 17. Prison Fellowship believes these measures promote accountability, public safety, and successful reentry, while upholding human dignity and using taxpayer resources wisely. We respectfully ask the committee to vote in favor of HB16 and HB17.

We need better public defenders that don’t not mind fighting for client then getting them take a plea deal young men that’s first time offenders getting sent to prison for years and there fines be so high when they out it be hard to get a job pay high fines and get on they feet they need programs to bring love ones homes to have a second chance program some of this young men went in at a young age and changed there life around and are amazing citizen but will never get a chance to show there improvement and why was parole taken away and why isn’t house arrest a opition for inmates to come home when they can be monitored by a system then sit behind bars when most times they have lack of staff to operate prison and staff are over worked we need a change

I am Scott E. Peyton, Director of Government Affairs at Prison Fellowship, and I am writing to express Prison Fellowship’s support of HB 16. HB16 requires courts to allow individuals to earn credits toward fines and court costs through community service or work performed while incarcerated. It changes community service from a discretionary option to a guaranteed alternative and applies to work performed on or after July 2020. We believe this bill reflects sound criminal justice policy that promotes accountability, public safety, successful reentry efforts, and human dignity. 

Something’s should have been looked into before and changed way before now.

Comments Document

My name is Seychell Williams, and I am the Founder and CEO of The Ruby Grant Project, a re-entry reform initiative dedicated to transforming the way returning citizens are supported as they transition back into their communities. I also serve as a Manager at Virginia Correctional Enterprises, where I lead workforce development, mentorship, and re-entry preparation for individuals preparing to return home or serving their sentence productively. Please read the following attachment regarding my support of bill HB16. Thank You

I support this bill. Out of my 15 years I’ve worked approximately 13.5 years doing jobs that people in the community get paid minimum wage and more for while I get paid 45c to do so. This work helps the prison community, DOC, and some jobs even help the outside community. We’re not asking to put the money in our pockets but for our work to have more meaning (working 14-16 hour days).

This bill is very important because this bill gives a man or woman the chance to work off fines that will have them stressing to pay after being set free - which may or may not result in more bad decisions because they feel as if they can’t get ahead. Having unpaid fines prohibits some progression moving forward, like trying to obtain a drivers license, buy, credit building, things that are needed to help a successful person stay successful.

This is personally one of the bills I support the most. One of the biggest barriers for guys to transition out of probation and parole is the fact that they have outstanding fines but have spent years working for anywhere between 1 to 3 hours a day just to make a dollar. If you’re not going to pay the population a wage proportionate to the increases in prices for items we’re charged for, then that work should at least count towards paying off those fines. The incarcerated populations’ work sustains the operations of the Department of Corrections just as much as any officer, counselor, or upper administration. On a daily basis, the DOC will not pay citizens at least a minimum wage to maintain the work handled by inmates.

Most men and women who have to pay fines cannot find work . There given a list of companies who supposedly hire felons but they do not hire they except the application but do not hire so these people have no way to actually pay money . Making community service work help pay is an excellent idea the only problem with that is finding companies who will allow you to do it . So if they broden the community services work to non profits and churches maybe even parks and rec it would give multiple choices and could be compketed successful

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

I am Scott E. Peyton, Director of Government Affairs at Prison Fellowship, and I am writing to express Prison Fellowship’s support of HB 16 and HB 17. Prison Fellowship believes these measures promote accountability, public safety, and successful reentry, while upholding human dignity and using taxpayer resources wisely. We respectfully ask the committee to vote in favor of HB16 and HB17.

We need better public defenders that don’t not mind fighting for client then getting them take a plea deal young men that’s first time offenders getting sent to prison for years and there fines be so high when they out it be hard to get a job pay high fines and get on they feet they need programs to bring love ones homes to have a second chance program some of this young men went in at a young age and changed there life around and are amazing citizen but will never get a chance to show there improvement and why was parole taken away and why isn’t house arrest a opition for inmates to come home when they can be monitored by a system then sit behind bars when most times they have lack of staff to operate prison and staff are over worked we need a change

Something’s should have been looked into before and changed way before now.

It is already difficult when being incarcerated but to be released and everything you own is gone how do you live again . Court cost and fines are usually very high and the interest that builds on top of it makes it difficult to start all over for the most part just finding employment not having an address or vehicle is already a hinderence depending on the charges . If incarcerated any interest should be stopped because they will not allow work release if your not sentenced work release should be available to all and should be able to work to pay any fines or cost . If it retains to child support they should be forced to work release and made work until paid

Testimony from Last Prisoner Project, a national non-profit, in support of HB26.

I write in support HB 26. Virginia has made a deliberate policy decision to legalize and decriminalize certain marijuana-related conduct. HB 26 reasonably addresses the remaining question of how to treat individuals who were sentenced under prior law for conduct that is no longer criminal. The bill is narrow and careful in its approach. It does not require resentencing, does not diminish judicial discretion, and does not raise public safety concerns. It simply allows courts to evaluate whether continued punishment is appropriate in light of current law. HB 26 promotes fairness and consistency in the application of Virginia’s criminal justice policy. I urge the committee to give it favorable consideration.

My husband is currently incarcerated serving a four year sentence on a marijuana charge with the handgun. He is a model citizen and should be allowed to at least serve 50% of his time due to mandatory minimum on a marijuana charge with the weapon he is serving his full term and should be home with his family. He is a non-violent criminal and deserves to be able to serve his time honesty with at least parole or probation..

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

Chair and members of the committee, thank you. My name is Dr. Elyse Osterweil, founder of Mothers Reform Child Injustices (MRCI) and a member of the National Safe Parents Organization (NSPO), and we SUPPORT HB118 sponsored by Delegate Keren Keys-Gamarra. I am also a Korean-American mother (US natural born citizen) who was falsely accused of abducting my own child on June 6-7th 2022, while I was in the process of seeking a protective order against my ex-husband, my child’s father (white male US citizen), as per law enforcement recommendations and escalation of harrassment/violence/recklessness and mental instability of my ex-husband/father of our child. That charge resulted in 16+ days in jail, trauma-induced seizures, and complex PTSD, multiple subsequent arrests for more than two and a half years before it was ultimately dismissed based on due process violations and the improper serving of the child custody calendar control notice, motion, evidence, and order. During that time—while I was pro se at points—I was denied exculpatory discovery by the CA in Fairfax County, including one of two videos that would have proven my innocence and impeached multiple witnesses. I was never told I could inspect the evidence, nor was I provided any copies, making meaningful defense or dismissal of these false allegations impossible. At the same time, my electronic devices and major accounts were repeatedly hacked or rendered inaccessible, depriving me of emails and records essential to my defense. This was not merely stressful—it materially impaired my ability to participate in my own case. What happened to me is not isolated. An increasing number of domestic violence victims—especially protective mothers—experiencing gender-bias, racism (especially if the father is a white male), and are being denied due process, denied their parental rights, criminalized, and incarcerated for attempting to protect their children from harm from their abusive partners. When discovery is withheld and access to evidence is obstructed especially against "plaintiffs"/abusers with 10 years of documented child abuse and domestic violence, the system punishes protection and rewards abuse, punished and endangers their children, and causes another generation of preventable trauma. It is also a violation of the 2022 reauthorization Violence Against Women Act, and Kayden's Law. The Brady rule requires disclosure of evidence favorable to the accused, including impeachment material held by prosecutors or police. HB118 matters because transparency is not optional—it is due process. Please support HB118. Grateful, Dr. Elyse Lee Osterweil, Ph.D.

HB 118 is important legislation for us to pass in order to increase access to criminal justice defense and reduce prosecution chicanery. Any politician who votes against this bill will get put in the bucket of undesirable politicians.

I support this bill. As someone who went through the legal system and having a case where evidence was destroyed, statements were questionable due to suggestiveness from the detective of the case - I believe there needs to be more transparency of such evidence before going to trial. People mostly go to court with public defenders and therefore are most of the time at a disadvantage not because the PD is bad, but because they are so overworked - the attention needed isn’t always given. By law, ignorance of the law isn’t a factor in anything - so a defendant who has zero knowledge of such things can’t properly defend himself so must rely on the PD. The PD should get all relevant and necessary information that could help defend their client.

I also support this because the more access we have to evidence, the more we are able to build a proper defense. There have been times where the evidence could have proven a person's innocence but it was swept under the rug or not released in favor of something that helped gain a conviction. The whole story should be known, not only the way they want it told.

If you are accused of a crime not only should you be able to face your accuser you should also be able to see the evidence against you. I also believe that the accused should be able to be present during any and all meetings between the prosecutor and their lawyer . The accused should not be arrested and held without bond unless it has something to do with a violent crime and even then should not be housed with people who are serving a sentence even though it is in the law it is not followed .

Discovery discrepancies are rampant throughout several cases that I know of. Please pass this bill to allow for more transparency. Both sides should be able to see and request all evidence both before and after trial so that they can accurately represent their case!

NO POSITION ON HB 123 ON ACCOUNT OF WHO WILL GIVE DUI TEST DURING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.

I would propose that there should be an ammendment to this bill to include the parents and guardians of these children to be included. It all starts with the parenting. The root cause of these children and their nefarious actions is a result of bad parenting/guardianship. DMV needs to tighten up their rules and regulations regarding issuing Driver's Licenses. If they are under the age of 18 their parent(s)/guardians have to provide "proof of residency"; for which we can use that to track their "supervisors" of the children and have them be resposible for their actions.

Comments Document

Letter supporting House Bill 133 attached.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

I would like to express my opposition to this bill. To my understanding, if the evidence does not meet the bar of a "beyond a reasonable doubt", the evidence can still be used in civil proceedings for protections for the child and custody proceedings, etc, especially if the child's parents/guardians were notified as per law and wish to pursue civil means of justice and/or an IIED suit, etc. Was this considered by the committee? Thank you, Elyse Osterweil MRCI (Mothers Reform Child Injustices)

OPPOSE HB 148 ON ACCOUNT OF GUILT OF ASSOCIATION OF OTHER CRIMINALS/CRIMES/SUPPORT IN OTHER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION THAT COULD BE CHARGED... TRUMP/EPSTEIN/GHISLAINE MAXWELL CASE LAW.

Dear Chairman Hope, and Members of the Committee: My name is Justin Dean English, and I am a Policy Associate submitting this written testimony on behalf of Just Future Project in opposition to HB149 in its current form. I am deeply concerned about the process leading to this bill’s introduction and the lack of transparency presented by individuals testifying to this Committee’s members. The final report from this Youngkin-influenced, Youngkin-packed working group should garner serious consideration from all members of this committee and the public, but this is not possible. Several organizations materially or de facto misrepresented the status and origin of HB149 last Wednesday by referring to an unfinalized, unpublished report in their testimony to the Criminal Subcommittee. As explained below, this working group violated the letter and spirit of the law in testifying without transparency, which should garner massive scrutiny and doubt over the entirety of the language presented before this Committee. HB149 (2026) came from a working group enacted in 2025 by HB2252 (CHAP0657). That working group was legally mandated to submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor by November 1, 2025. As of writing, that report has yet to be submitted to the General Assembly for consideration. Further still, no evidence in support of Governor Youngkin’s holdover language from the original bill was acknowledged by the groups testifying. That said, members of the working group testified that the bill matched their consensus and is consistent with the factual basis of their report. Just Future Project, nor any other organization not represented in the working group, cannot challenge this because the final report is not publicly available. Transparency mandated by law must be followed, not ignored. Rather than advancing fair and transparent policy, the organizations in this working group were willing to let language some members were discontent with go before the Subcommittee without any publicly-available information offering explanation as to why members publicly criticizing the language were ultimately overridden. A lack of controversy stemming from zero transparency and the unlawful withholding of a report should not render a bill non-controversial for the purposes of this agenda. The Committee should refer HB149 back to the Criminal Subcommittee, who should then: 1.) Not move HB149 onto the agenda prior to the official publication of the final report to the General Assembly. 2.) Review the report’s factual basis in relation to the bill language submitted—especially given the lack of transparency thus far. 3.) Allow for further public testimony on HB149. 4.) Meaningfully consider amendments to the existing bill language after said testimony.

The Valley Justice Coalition applauds Del Wren's attempt at incentivizing those who have served their time to continue to improve themselves and meet all the requirements of probation. However, this bill must NOT exclude anyone based on their charges. They must be judged on their present actions; not the actions of the past. Please make the necessary amendments to assure that everyone who completes the PO's requirements are eligible for an early release from probation.

Something’s should have been looked into before and changed way before now.

Women Against Registry (who has many members living in Virginia), believes in a justice system that recognizes people’s capacity for growth and change, and that supports rehabilitation after a person has fulfilled their obligations to society. Policies that extend supervision long after an individual is unlikely to reoffend do not make communities safer; in fact, research consistently shows they can be destabilizing and increase the risk of harm. HB149 undermines its own rehabilitative purpose by excluding broad categories of people based solely on offense labels through its reference to Virginia Code § 19.2-303—exclusions that are not grounded in evidence, but in fear and long-standing bias. It is deeply ironic to incentivize rehabilitation while denying that opportunity to those we most want to succeed. If the intent was for this bill to apply after completion of mandatory supervision, the language must be amended to reflect that; as written, it permanently excludes many people based on past convictions rather than present risk. Additionally, the bill relies on vague “minimal risk” standards that leave too much discretion to probation offices without meaningful guidance from the legislature, inviting inconsistency and inequity. While well-intentioned, HB149 does not yet reflect the values of fairness, accountability, and redemption that should guide our laws, and it requires significant revision before moving forward.

Thank you for considering this important issue that impacts our communities. I support HB149 because I'm aware of the important role played by probation officers, and that this resource is frequently spread too thin. If we allow early termination for individuals who demonstrate sustained compliance, it would allow our probation officers to increase their time and attention on individuals who pose the greatest need and risk. I'm also aware that individuals on probation face obstacles when seeking employment, and research shows that obtaining employment significantly reduces the likelihood of re-offending. If we make it easier for people who have served their sentences to find jobs, our communities will be safer.

HB 149 is a common sense measure that reduces costs, enhances public safety, and most importantly, gives returning citizens the ability to rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities in a positive way. Probation, particularly excessively long probation, continues to punish people who have already completed their sentences in a facility. If someone is complying with the terms of their probation and making sustained progress toward education, employment, and any necessary treatment for substance abuse or mental health, they should be able to EARN early termination. This allows probation officers to reduce supervision of lower-risk cases and focus their attention on individuals who posed the greatest need and risk, enhancing public safety. This bill also reduces costs in a fiscal climate where we should be spending money to give people a hand up, not continuing to push them down. Without the endless restrictions of probation, individuals can be better contributors to our economy, communities, and families. This bill provides courts and probation officers with another tool to improve supervision outcomes and enhance community safety.

Comments Document

I am Scott E. Peyton, Director of Government Affairs at Prison Fellowship, and I am writing to express Prison Fellowship’s support of HB149. With nearly 50 years of experience encountering Jesus with men and women behind bars, Prison Fellowship® is a leading national voice shaping the public debate on justice. We mobilize Christians and equip policymakers to advocate for federal and state justice reforms that advance proportional punishment, constructive corrections culture, and second chances. Our guiding principles are rooted in the biblical call to seek justice, love mercy, and restore hope. Community supervision is a core public safety function. Individuals on probation are serving their sentence in the community, not in custody, and their conduct directly affects neighborhoods, workplaces, and families. Effective probation is not leniency; it is structured accountability with enforceable conditions and swift response to noncompliance. Having served for more than a decade as a probation and parole officer in Louisiana, I saw firsthand that when supervision resources are spread too thin, risk management suffers. The availability of early termination for individuals who demonstrate sustained compliance allowed officers to reduce supervision of lower-risk cases and focus time and attention on individuals who posed the greatest need and risk. This legislation advances public safety by formalizing that common-sense approach. Excessively long probation periods can create unnecessary roadblocks for individuals who are otherwise complying with court-ordered conditions. For example, individuals who remain on probation often face greater difficulty securing employment, as employers may be hesitant to hire someone currently under supervision. Research consistently shows that obtaining employment significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending and early termination, when appropriate, supports successful reintegration and safer communities. Experience from other states reinforces this approach. At least 19 states, including Texas, Florida, and Missouri, offer mechanisms that allow individuals on probation to earn early discharge based on sustained compliance. After adopting such policies, Missouri saw no increase in recidivism while its supervised population declined by approximately 18 percent. These outcomes demonstrate that early termination can safely reduce caseloads while preserving public safety. A justice system that aligns with mercy acknowledges that transformation is possible, while preserving accountability and judicial discretion. This bill provides courts and probation officers with another tool to improve supervision outcomes and enhance community safety.

Probation has been an issue for years most people who are on probation don't have a license to drive but are forced to be there in other states probation officers come to the home for visits . Also probation can become a problem when you do find employment that you would have to leave during your shift in which can cause a person to lose their jobs there are no offices open over the weekend or late after hours for some who may work second or third shifts . Drug testing should only be done if you have been charged with a crime of drugs . Violations from other counties if you have probation in more then one county it should all be put on one not having multiple counties involved if you violate every county is notified and you are charged by all that it self is double jeopardy.

There are MANY injustices in the criminal justice system. Most of the cards are in the prosecution's hands. As someone unjustly prosecuted and whose conviction was secured by impermissible deceit, I know that reducing time under probation's thumb is the first real step toward getting on with one's life. This is an excellent start, and Del Wren Williams is to be commended for understanding that there should be more discretion in reducing probation, and the outsized control of the DOC and probation officers.

The Virginia State Conference supports HB 650 HB 221 HB 1265

Anyone who feels they are being held unlawfully should be able to appeal and also should be able to have a bond no one should be able to be held without unless they committed a heinous crime

I am writing in support of the earned sentence credit bill HB361 and the robbery bill HB 244. I believe any time spent incarcerated should be under the approved earned sentence credit and should be calculated accordingly. Each jail has their own system and then VADOC has its own system. By unifying how earned sentence credits are calculated ensures that the adults in custody are not held unjustly and prevents confusion, and possible law suits. As a former VADOC employee, it is extremely confusing and frustrating for both staff and inmates alike attempting to figure out what the jail’s policy on earned sentence credit is. It also causes inaccurate calculations and double work by time computation employees at VADOC because they have to continually recalculate time based on what the jail sends them. By unifying the system, those incarcerated are given fair sentencing and helps eliminate possible law suits for the Commonwealth. In regards to HB 244, I understand that robbery can be traumatic for a victim. However, if no weapon is used and no victims are physically harmed, it cannot be considered a violent crime. To classify it as such is unconstitutional. A violent crime can only be committed when violence occurs. If a person walks up to someone and says give me all your money or I’ll hurt you, but they don’t, then no violence has been committed. Sex offenders get less time than those convicted of robbery without violence or a weapon. I support second chances and I think it is crucial to the strain on our prison system and tax payers to sentence these offenders to the proper length of time and allow them to earn the proper earned sentence credit. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Something’s should have been looked into before and changed way before now.

I support this bill because it brings fairness and consistency to Virginia’s robbery laws by recognizing that not all robberies involve the same level of violence. It ensures that the harshest penalties are reserved for the most serious offenses, while lower-level robberies are treated more proportionately. The bill also allows individuals convicted of lesser robbery offenses to qualify for earned sentence credits or compassionate release in appropriate cases, which supports rehabilitation and responsible use of resources. By applying certain changes retroactively, Virginia acknowledges past sentencing practices were overly harsh and takes a balanced, humane step forward without compromising public safety.

This bill addresses a long-standing need by meticulously aligning existing, and at times archaic, provisions within the Virginia Code with a contemporary, degree-based classification system. The comprehensive clarity introduced by HB244 holds profound implications, not only for the consistent and equitable adjudication of future cases but also for individuals whose past convictions were determined under less precise or undifferentiated statutory language, the ramifications of which continue to impact their lives today. By explicitly delineating the various classifications of robbery offenses and ensuring their uniform interpretation across the Code, HB244 endeavors to create a truly transparent and standardized legal structure. This refined framework will facilitate its consistent application throughout the judicial system and enable meticulous and accurate review processes, including those pertaining to post conviction proceedings and resentencing. My endorsement of HB244 is rooted in its clear commitment to promoting the principle of proportionate justice, mitigating legal ambiguities, and establishing a robust foundation for the re-evaluation of historical adjudications against modern legal benchmarks. This initiative represents a vital step towards enhancing fairness and consistency within Virginia's criminal justice system.

Virginia’s robbery statutes must be modernized to ensure that sentencing is proportionate to the actual harm or threat involved in an offense. HB244 creates a fairer framework that distinguishes between different levels of robbery, preventing the over-sentencing that often severs family ties and hinders successful reentry. S4JR supports this reform as a way to prioritize human-centered justice and accurate accountability over "one-size-fits-all" punishment.

Criminal acts should have consequences, but these consequences need to be in proportion to the act committed. This house bill will provide clarity and more definition to the various degrees of crime and ensure that the punishment fits the crime. I also believe that incarceration should offer rehabilitation and give those convicted opportunity to learn, grow, and most of all prove with changed behaviour that they understand the consequences for crimes and also that they have been able to make positive changes while incarcerated and adhere to rules and good behaviour. There does need to be further distinction between violent and non violent crimes and this bill will offer those who, although they chose to commit a crime, did not endanger lives or include weapons while doing so. The key element of this this bill, in my opinion, is the opportunity for inmates to earn the sentence credits. It is not a guarantee of an earlier release, but a chance to demonstrate growth and to prove that there has been rehabilitative change prior to release.

I am writing to you to express my strong support for House Bill 244. This legislation is a necessary and logical step in refining Virginia’s criminal justice system to ensure that our laws are consistent, clear, and proportionate. In 2021, the General Assembly took the important step of establishing degrees of robbery to better reflect the varying levels of severity in these offenses. However, many other parts of the Virginia Code still reference "robbery" broadly, without distinguishing between these degrees. HB 244 corrects this by conforming those references to the established degrees. ​I support HB 244 because: ​ It Ensures Fairness in Sentencing: By limiting certain "acts of violence" classifications to the higher degrees of robbery (First and Second Degree), the bill ensures that harsher legal consequences are reserved for the most serious offenses. It Provides Legal Clarity: Consistency across the Code of Virginia is essential for judges, attorneys, and the public. This bill removes ambiguity in how robbery-related crimes are prosecuted and classified. It Completes Previous Reforms: This is a vital measure that ensures the intent of the 2021 robbery reforms is fully realized across all administrative and judicial functions of the Commonwealth. ​A just legal system requires that the punishment fits the crime and that the law is applied uniformly. HB 244 would see Virginia move closer to that goal. I urge you to support this bill.

HB 244 is undeniably a step in the right direction, signifying a commitment to a more just and rational legal system. However, its purpose will only be fully achieved if its benefits extend to those presently navigating an outdated and potentially disproportionate framework. Incorporating a retroactivity clause will not only solidify the bill's positive impact but will also affirm the General Assembly's dedication to consistent and meaningful justice for all.

Robbery should not have a higher sentence then murder . Not knowing the circumstances behind a person who commits the crime .I know someone serving 30 years for a robbery charge he was basically forced to do the crime by an older friend the friend didn't go to prison but the younger gentleman did he had no way to speak for himself and couldn't fight the charges because he didn't know ow how that should not be a reason to force someone into 30 years taken away

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

HB245 Behavioral Health Docket Act helps both society and individuals with a mental illness. It would allow more defendants who could benefit from the supervision and services of a specialized mental health court to participate. It does not change current requirements that the prosecution, defense, the defendant and the judge all must agree that participation is a preferred option in an individual case, and that the defendant can be helped by completing the rigid requirements of the program. Behavioral Health Dockets have demonstrated success across Virginia. Having retired from working in both the criminal justice and behavioral health systems, I have seen this success and strongly support the bill.

When my husband was charged, he spent months in jail simply because we could not afford bond. With this extra jail credit, he could come home a few months sooner. His mother is elderly and ill, and this would give him precious time to be with his momma while he still can.

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

Myself and other law enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth support HB 273 and the language inlcuded therein. We hope codifying what is already found in General Orders and Standard Operating Procedures in law enforcement agencies will also aid in providing essential medical training through DCJS, especially to those agencies that lack sufficient funding to provide it through their own budgets.

Good afternoon, I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. To my knowledge, all of the jurisdictions require law enforcement officers to render aid to people in need. I agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train. Also, I hope supervisors snd commanders in charge of those units are at least the same or higher certified than those under their supervision for optimal use.

Good afternoon, this is Ben Woodhouse, President of the Colonial Chapter of Virginia Police Benevolent Association (PBA). I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I have been in touch with our chapter Presidents across the Commonwealth and have found all of the jurisdictions they know of, require law enforcement officers to render aid to people in need. We agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. I would also hope that if an agency already has medically trained staff staff to the level of EMT, or Paramedic that they be utilized to train others to save lives. Thank you for your time. Ben Woodhouse

Good afternoon, My name is Mike Gallione, and I serve as a Chapter President with the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (PBA). I am writing in support of Delegate Helmer’s bill, HB273. I have been in communication with chapter presidents across the Commonwealth and have found that, in every jurisdiction they are aware of, law enforcement officers are already required to render aid to individuals in need. We support the bill’s language requiring such aid to be rendered “without endangering himself, the person, or others,” as well as the provisions outlined in Section B of the bill. It is my hope that the passage of HB273 will provide law enforcement agencies with additional resources for training and equipment through the Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS). Additionally, this bill presents an opportunity for agencies with officers who are already certified EMTs or paramedics to better utilize their expertise in training fellow law enforcement personnel. For agencies that already have medical programs in place, I encourage the use of medically trained officers in a more structured and effective training capacity. Ideally, these programs should be overseen by supervisors or commanders who hold equal or higher medical certifications than those under their supervision, ensuring optimal effectiveness and accountability. Thank you for your time and consideration.

I am writing in support of Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I am a law enforcement officer and I agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train. Also, well as have supervisors snd commanders in charge of those units that are at least the same or higher certified than those under their supervision for optimal use.

Good afternoon, I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I have been in touch with our chapter Presidents across the Commonwealth and have found all of the jurisdictions they know of, require law enforcement officers to render aid to people in need. We agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train. Also, well as have supervisors snd commanders in charge of those units that are at least the same or higher certified than those under their supervision for optimal use.

Good afternoon, this is Tim Bryner, President of the Spotsylvania Chapter of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (PBA). I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train.

Good afternoon, I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I have been in touch with officers across the state and found all of the jurisdictions they know of, require law enforcement officers to render aid to people in need. We agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train. Also, well as have supervisors snd commanders in charge of those units that are at least the same or higher certified than those under their supervision for optimal use.

Please consider passing this bill so that police officers may be better trained and equipped to provide on the scene medical aid in the performance of their duties. Thank you.

I'm supporting this bill.

Good afternoon, this is Joe Woloszyn, President of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association (PBA). I am writing in support if Delegates Helmer’s bill HB273. I have been in touch with our chapter Presidents across the Commonwealth and have found all of the jurisdictions they know of, require law enforcement officers to render aid to people in need. We agree with the language “without endangering himself, the person, or others” as well as Section B of the bill. I hope that the passing of this bill can provide law enforcement agencies with more resources for training and equipment through DCJS. It is also my hope that with this bill, agencies that have law enforcement officers that are already certified EMTs and Paramedics can utilize their expertise with the training of law enforcement personnel. And for agencies that have medical programs in place already, that they utilize their officers that are medically trained as EMTs and Paramedics in a more resourceful way to help train. Also, well as have supervisors snd commanders in charge of those units that are at least the same or higher certified than those under their supervision for optimal use.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

Any officer who breaks the law should face the same charges if not harsher being they know the law thier should not be any immunity against any law enforcement officer or corrections officer if the law is broken it is broken no matter the crime . Giving them civil immunity will allow them to be able to break the law and not worry about law suits I am sure if an officer shoots a family member of yours you would want them prosecuted and be able to sue for what they have done . Most officers already commit crimes knowing they have immunity this is not a good bill in America anyone who commits a crime should be punished

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

OPPOSE HB 274/DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY ON ACCOUNT OF CONSPIRACY/GUILT OF ASSOCIATION DISCOVERY/INVESTIGATING SEX TRAFFICKING/PEDOPHILE/CHILD ABUSE... TRUMP/EPSTEIN/GHISLAINE MAXWELL CASE LAW.

My name is Alice Minium and I oppose this bill removing the cap on annual fees that may be charged by the state Bar Association. I have spent the past six months applying to law schools myself, and the process has been unbelievably cost-prohibitive. It would simply not be possible for someone truly indigent, and it is to my understanding that lawyering powers do not necessarily mean any guarantee of infinite wealth. This profession is almost entirely inaccessible to thousands of potential lawyers that might create all kinds of positive changes or accomplish feats of excellence, but who will never become lawyers because, for one among many reasons, the costs of doing so are absolutely terrifying. Removing this cap does nothing but allow for the possibility of increasing those possible costs. Lawyer salaries have not risen in proportion to the cost of law school or the many costs that come with practicing; there is no reason to add one more possible barrier to practicing in Virginia that removing this cap in annual fees would introduce. It would create a more unjust system here and while this may not be the intention, the outcome would be again rewarding certain kinds of lawyers and introducing one more expense for everyone else.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

In support of HB361, while the DOC estimates a one-time cost to review records to properly calculate earned sentence credits, this investment will immediately begin to reduce costs. This bill will reduce the number of inmates in the entire correctional system, including state responsible inmates in local jails and the state prison population. This bill will be particularly effective at reducing costs to incarcerate motivated inmates who are EARNING time off their sentences through good behavior and program participation. These inmates will return to their communities where they can support families and contribute to their communities, and the tax base, more quickly. DOC must be compelled to recalculate as a priority inmates with pending release dates starting from July 1, 2026 when the bill goes into effect, not September 1 as stated in the impact statement. Finally, please note that the DOC could have implemented ESC properly the first time and avoided these costs. Inmates who are doing well should not be penalized for DOC's incomplete data collection. It seems unimaginable that they do not already know the initial incarceration date of their population. Virginia needs to make the investment to ensure fairness in ESC calculation.

I am a resident of Arlington, VA (22203), and I am writing to you today to share my support of criminal justice reforms for the Commonwealth of Virginia I know that the Virginia General Assembly has been working on these issues and made substantial progress in recent years, only to see the legislation vetoed by our previous conservative governor. However, November’s elections brought a hopeful change to the Commonwealth. It is my hope that beginning this year that progressive change can become a reality in the Commonwealth. Mass incarceration is a particularly significant problem in Virginia. According to data compiled by the Vera Institute of Justice, in 2015 Virginia had locked up almost 60,000 people, an increase of nearly 300% since 1983.  Virginia ranked first among Southeast states in jail population per capita and third in prison population per capita. This measure, along with many other important considerations before this committee will help reform our justice system and reduce the mass incarceration currently in our Commonwealth. Thank you!

Members of the General Assembly, I respectfully submit this comment in strong support of HB193 and to recommend a complementary oversight mechanism to address instances of judicial noncompliance with Virginia sentencing law. HB193 is a necessary and measured response to a documented breakdown in compliance following Fishback v. Commonwealth (2000), which required juries to be instructed that parole had been abolished. When legally mandated procedures are not followed, the legitimacy of the resulting sentence is compromised. HB193 does not provide automatic release; it simply allows parole consideration in cases where the sentencing process itself was flawed. That approach reflects fundamental fairness and respect for the rule of law. In addition to supporting HB193, I urge the General Assembly to consider establishing an independent review and notification mechanism for cases in which judges sentence outside Virginia’s sentencing guidelines without articulated reasons, or where patterns of noncompliance are later identified. By way of example, in the case of Sterling Graham, an Alford plea was accepted for an 18-year sentence, after which the presiding judge imposed additional life sentences without documented justification for the departure from the guidelines. That judge was later removed from the bench. However, the individual directly affected by the sentencing irregularity was never notified or provided a mechanism for review. Regardless of the ultimate merits of any single case, this illustrates a serious systemic failure: when judicial misconduct or noncompliance is identified, there is no structured process to review impacted cases or notify affected individuals. Sentencing guidelines exist to promote consistency, proportionality, and public confidence. When those guidelines are disregarded without explanation—and when subsequent findings raise concerns about a judge’s conduct—justice requires more than silent correction at the institutional level. It requires transparency and a pathway for those harmed by such failures to be informed and, where appropriate, seek review. A limited oversight committee or review body would not undermine judicial independence. Instead, it would: * Identify patterns of unexplained guideline departures * Refer cases for appropriate review where systemic issues are found * Ensure affected individuals are notified when judicial noncompliance may have impacted their sentence HB193 reflects the principle that legality in sentencing matters. A complementary oversight and notification mechanism would reinforce that principle and help ensure that when the system fails, those failures are acknowledged and addressed—not buried. For these reasons, I urge the General Assembly to support HB193 and to consider additional safeguards that promote accountability, transparency, and fairness in Virginia’s sentencing system. Respectfully submitted, Tonya Wright Wisdom’s Embrace 757-309-1733

I am writing in support of the earned sentence credit bill HB361 and the robbery bill HB 244. I believe any time spent incarcerated should be under the approved earned sentence credit and should be calculated accordingly. Each jail has their own system and then VADOC has its own system. By unifying how earned sentence credits are calculated ensures that the adults in custody are not held unjustly and prevents confusion, and possible law suits. As a former VADOC employee, it is extremely confusing and frustrating for both staff and inmates alike attempting to figure out what the jail’s policy on earned sentence credit is. It also causes inaccurate calculations and double work by time computation employees at VADOC because they have to continually recalculate time based on what the jail sends them. By unifying the system, those incarcerated are given fair sentencing and helps eliminate possible law suits for the Commonwealth. In regards to HB 244, I understand that robbery can be traumatic for a victim. However, if no weapon is used and no victims are physically harmed, it cannot be considered a violent crime. To classify it as such is unconstitutional. A violent crime can only be committed when violence occurs. If a person walks up to someone and says give me all your money or I’ll hurt you, but they don’t, then no violence has been committed. Sex offenders get less time than those convicted of robbery without violence or a weapon. I support second chances and I think it is crucial to the strain on our prison system and tax payers to sentence these offenders to the proper length of time and allow them to earn the proper earned sentence credit. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Something’s should have been looked into before and changed way before now.

When my husband was charged, he spent months in jail simply because we could not afford bond. With this extra jail credit, he could come home a few months sooner. His mother is elderly and ill, and this would give him precious time to be with his momma while he still can.

Thank you for considering this important issue that impacts our communities. I support HB361 because it's not uncommon for it to take a long time for a case to progress to sentencing, and incarcerated people have no control over this timeline. Being able to earn credits while awaiting sentencing encourages good behavior and participation in educational programs. This practice would also reflect good stewardship of taxpayer resources because we would spend less money on incarcerated individuals who are taking an active role in their rehabilitation. To me, it seems fair that time spent in jail should count regardless of whether it occurs before or after a sentencing date.

I urge the committee and house to support HB361. In a justice system designed to punish instead of rehabilitate, there are few incentives for good behavior and program participation other than Earned Sentence Credit (ESC). Individuals who are incarcerated prior to their final sentencing deserve to earn the same ESC credit as they do in the days after their sentencing. Without this change, Virginia is punishing individuals for a timeline they do not control. Even on the FASTEST possible timeline including a plea agreement, sentencing takes a minimum of six months. Currently, six months to sentencing means spending 60 days longer in confinement. Most sentencing processes take much longer. This costs taxpayers real money. We are paying to confine people longer who have no disciplinary issues and are seeking to better themselves by participating in programs. What could possibly be gained from that? HB 361 will ensure that every day of confinement counts toward a person’s earned credit calculation, provided they meet the requirements. Please apply these changes retroactively, ensuring that those currently in the system are treated equitably under this updated standard.​

On behalf of the Virginia nonprofits organization Resource information Help for the Disadvantaged and Disenfranchised (RIHD) member ship, we support HB361 Earned sentence credits; incarceration while awaiting trial or pending an appeal.. We ask that you vote “yes” to move this fair, and necessary bill forward. Thank you

Written Testimony Submitted by Keyosha Farris on Behalf of Demetrius Kidd.... To the Honorable Members of the Courts of Justice Criminal Committee: My name is Keyosha Farris, and I am submitting this testimony on behalf of my partner, Demetrius Kidd, who has been incarcerated in Virginia for over 15 years. While he is unable to attend today, he has asked me to share his perspective regarding the proposed Earned Sentence Credits bill. Demetrius strongly supports policies that allow incarcerated individuals to earn credits for positive behavior, participation in rehabilitation programs, education, and work assignments. After more than 15 years in prison, he has firsthand experience of how such programs can inspire accountability, personal growth, and hope. Earning sentence credits is not just about reducing time served; it is a meaningful incentive that motivates people like Demetrius to continue engaging in educational, vocational, and therapeutic programs. It also helps maintain connections with family, strengthens rehabilitation, and encourages a safer, more productive environment within prisons. Demetrius respectfully asks the committee to consider the human impact of this bill. Supporting earned sentence credits can foster transformation, reduce recidivism, and create real opportunities for individuals who have committed to change ultimately benefiting both incarcerated individuals and the wider community. Thank you for your time, attention, and consideration of this testimony. Respectfully, Keyosha Farris, submitting on behalf of Demetrius Kidd

My husband is currently serving time for a probation violation. I would love to see this bill pass so he could come home to his family

To whom this may concern, My husband, Jamar Shelton has been incarcerated since the age of 17 for a crime he did not commit (allegedly at the age of 16). A few weeks after his 18th birthday, he was sentenced as an adult, to 50 years with 25 years suspended and probation for life upon release. (Again for a crime he did not commit) His life will be hard even after his release but he deserves a chance to be home with his wife and the opportunity to start building a family together. My husband is now 39 years old, he has spent 22 of those years in Virginia state prisons (all across the state). Throughout his sentence he has maintained good behavior, he mentors others, stays out of the way and attends classes when available. (And when pods aren’t on lockdown) He remains humble, is always kind to others, and deserves to be home. If this bill passes, my husband could be home and we can begin building our family before it’s too late! Thank you for your time! Mrs. J Hope

I am writing in support of Virginia House Bill 361. My perspective comes from personal experience. My loved one has been incarcerated within the Virginia Department of Corrections for 17 years. During that time, he has spent long periods confined under conditions and policies that offered no opportunity to earn sentence credits — despite consistent effort, good behavior, and personal growth. HB 361 is not about excusing past mistakes. It is about fairness. Time served is time lived, and individuals should not be denied earned sentence credits simply because of when their incarceration occurred or circumstances beyond their control. After 17 years, I have seen how denying earned credits deepens hopelessness while recognizing effort encourages accountability and rehabilitation. I respectfully urge you to support HB 361 and help ensure Virginia’s sentencing system reflects fairness, humanity, and modern justice principles. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully, T Faye

I support this bill because it’s just the right and fair thing to do. If someone is sitting in a jail, hospital, or juvenile facility waiting for trial or an appeal, they’re still locked up. They’re away from their family, can’t work, and are living under strict rules every day. That time isn’t imaginary—it’s real punishment—and it should count when their sentence credits are calculated. This also matters for people who stay in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. Two people charged with the same crime shouldn’t end up serving different amounts of time just because one had money and the other didn’t. That’s not justice—that’s inequality. At the end of the day, this bill doesn’t let people off the hook. It just makes sure the time they’ve already paid with their freedom actually counts, encourages good behavior, and uses taxpayer money more wisely.

Our loved ones are in the process of rehabilitating themselves! With the help and support of family & friends we are helping them reintegrate into the world. Please allow this credits to be passed. These men are fathers, brothers, sons, uncles, grandchildren, please allow them to come home sooner versus later and begin to become productive working citizens!

Hello, my loved one is one of the unfortunate inmates housed at River North Correctional Center. His release date that DOC calculated never included 14 months of working time that he worked everyday in Henrico Jail that he was supposed to have 15 days knocked off his sentence time. Instead he got into some trouble while asking for medical care, which the charges were later reversed , but he got sent the Western Region prision system and shoulf essentionally probably even be released with time served had the time he had been promised had been added to his sentence. Alot of inmates have worked hard with jobs and programs for self improvment while incarcarated and to give them the time off that they worked for is what they deserve. Please consider this bill to allow those who are serious about their rehabilitation to return to their loved ones sooner. They worked for this right.

Dear Honorable Legislators, My name is Brianna Woods, and I am writing to express my strong support for HB361. This legislation is deeply personal to my family and has significant implications for fairness and justice within the Commonwealth of Virginia. My husband, Lamont Woods, was held in the Henry County Jail for three years while awaiting the completion of his trial before being transferred to the Virginia Department of Corrections. Despite this substantial period of incarceration, he does not currently receive credit toward earned sentence credits for that time served. This outcome is inconsistent with the original intent of the Earned Sentence Credit bill, which was to ensure that all time served is treated equitably. While incarcerated, my husband has worked diligently to better himself. He has remained active in our children’s lives, followed institutional rules, maintained good behavior, and participated in programs designed to support rehabilitation. Earned sentence credits exist to incentivize exactly this type of conduct and to prepare individuals for successful reintegration into society. Denying credit for time already served undermines this goal and discourages meaningful rehabilitation efforts. Opponents of this bill argue that reducing sentences diminishes accountability and disregards the impact on victims and their families. However, accountability and rehabilitation are not mutually exclusive. The purpose of incarceration is not solely punishment, but also rehabilitation, personal growth, and the eventual return of individuals to society as responsible and law-abiding citizens. Recognizing time already served does not negate accountability; rather, it promotes fairness, consistency, and the effective use of earned sentence credits as the law intended. For these reasons, I respectfully urge you to support and pass HB361. This bill represents a fair, just, and balanced approach to sentencing that benefits not only incarcerated individuals and their families, but the broader community as well. Thank you for your time, consideration, and service to the Commonwealth. Sincerely, Brianna Woods

​To the Honorable Members of the House/Senate: ​My name is Annuteaka Harris, and I am writing to express my strong support for HB361. This legislation is a vital step toward ensuring fairness within our justice system, particularly for individuals like my husband, Winston Harris, who are working diligently toward successful reentry. ​The Earned Sentence Credit (ESC) program is a cornerstone of rehabilitative policy. It provides a powerful incentive for incarcerated individuals to maintain positive behavior, adhere to facility procedures, and complete educational and vocational programming. However, a significant gap currently exists: many individuals serve months or even years in local jails awaiting trial or transfer before their credits are applied. ​I urge you to support HB361 for the following reasons: ​Standardization and Fairness: Currently, the amount of time an individual spends in jail versus a state facility is often a matter of administrative timing rather than the nature of their offense. HB361 ensures that all qualifying time served is treated equally, regardless of where the individual is housed. ​Incentivizing Positive Behavior: Jail environments can be unpredictable. By applying ESCs to jail time, we encourage individuals to begin their rehabilitation immediately upon entry, rather than waiting until they reach a state facility. ​Accountability: This bill is about the legislature following through on the intent of the ESC program—rewarding those who do the hard work of bettering themselves behind bars. ​The justice system should reward accountability and growth. HB361 ensures that the rules are applied fairly to everyone who has earned their credits through good conduct and hard work. ​I respectfully ask for your "YEA" vote on HB361. Thank you for your time and for your dedication to the citizens of Virginia. ​Respectfully, ​Annuteaka Harris

When arrested for a crime and held in custody, the days served waiting for trial etc count towards any sentence later given. As inmates within the Department Of Corrections are given the opportunity to earn sentence credits through good behaviour and engaging with programs, it should follow that the sentence credits include the time served prior to sentencing. If this time is considered part of the sentence itself, it makes sense that the conditions imposed during time within DOC also apply to the entire sentence. This is not a guarantee of an earlier release, but further motivation and opportunity for inmates to use their incarceration for rehabilitation and to prove that changes in behaviour have been made prior to release. This house bill will also ensure that sentences and time served are accurately and fairly calculated. For example, conpare two inmates (assuming the same crime/sentence/good behaviour while in DOC) if one inmate spent 24 months awaiting trial and the other spent 10 months, their release dates would differ which does not afford each person fair and equitable treatment. This house would rectify this issue.

Currently, the way sentence credits are applied means individuals who are incarcerated prior to their final sentencing do not receive the same incentives for good behavior and rehabilitative progress as those already in the state system. HB 361 addresses this by ensuring that every day of confinement counts toward a person’s earned credit calculation, provided they meet the behavioral requirements. ​I support this legislation for several key reasons: Promotes Fairness: It ensures that an individual’s ultimate release date is based on the total time they have been incarcerated. Encourages Positive Behavior: By making credits available during the pre-trial and appeal phases, we incentivize individuals to engage in productive behavior and follow facility rules from the moment they enter the system. Reduces Overcrowding: Recognizing time served more accurately helps safely transition individuals back into the community, reducing the fiscal and administrative burden on our local and state correctional facilities. Retroactive Justice: I particularly support the provision to apply these changes retroactively, ensuring that those currently in the system are treated equitably under this updated standard. ​HB 361 is a common-sense step toward a more transparent and just system. I urge you to support this bill when it comes before your committee and on the House floor.

My husband is currently incarcerated serving a four year sentence on a marijuana charge with the handgun. He is a model citizen and should be allowed to at least serve 50% of his time due to mandatory minimum on a marijuana charge with the weapon he is serving his full term and should be home with his family. He is a non-violent criminal and deserves to be able to serve his time honesty with at least parole or probation..

HB 193 (Extending parole eligible/ post fishback/ sentence after June 9, 2000. In these turbulent times, it is crucial that you as Virginia lawmakers make things right. By doing so you will be correcting many wrongs to individuals who have made a mistake and find themselves behind bars which could be anyone of us. I am writing to ask you to Vote Yes for HB 193. Lay people are sometimes not aware of changes, but our judges are informed about any changes in criminal justice and they already know what they have to do, be transparent when giving instructions to the jury about the life of an accused individual. Everyone that is committed to prison is not bad people but just need to be reminded they are human beings and they have a responsibility to society. Once they have shown for years they have come back into their real self and demonstrate fundamental change by having the same routine day in and day out. This request is in accordance with the Fishback v. Commonwealth, 260 Va. 104 (2000) in which the Supreme Court held that a jury should be instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished for a felony committed after January 1995, and can prove the preponderance of the evidence that a jury was not instructed on the fact that parole has been abolished, there are individuals that remain behind bars for the same offense on July 2025. Their annual evaluation says a lot about how an individual has changed or not. Thank you. Lorrene Crowell

I strongly support House Bill 361 because it addresses a basic issue of fairness in Virginia’s sentencing system. People who spend months or even years in jail before being sentenced or while waiting on an appeal are already serving real time. That time is credited toward their sentence, yet under current practice, it often does not earn earned sentence credits, even though the person was confined the entire time. HB 361 recognizes a simple truth: time served is time served, regardless of whether it happens in a jail or a prison. Denying earned sentence credits for jail time unfairly extends incarceration for reasons completely outside an individual’s control. No one should serve longer simply because their case took longer to resolve. This bill does not eliminate accountability or compromise public safety. It ensures equal treatment, accurate sentence calculations, and basic fairness. Passing HB 361 would correct an unjust gap in the law and affirm that Virginia values consistency, transparency, and humane justice.

HB361 We are compelled to draw attention to a critical procedural issue currently impacting the administration of earned credits within our correctional system. It has been observed that the Department of Corrections is initiating the accrual of these vital credits based on an undefined "custody responsibility date." This interpretation of policy leads to individuals being detained for periods exceeding their legally mandated sentences, often by several weeks or even months, consequently undermining the explicit provisions of established law. To rectify this systemic discrepancy and ensure robust adherence to statutory mandates, the expeditious enactment of legislation concerning earned sentencing credits (ESC) for jail time is not merely advisable, but critically essential. This legislative measure is specifically designed to bring the Virginia Department of Corrections practices into unequivocal compliance with the clear language of existing statutes. Its implementation will guarantee that earned credits are accurately applied from the legally stipulated commencement date, thereby preventing any further instances of unlawful over-detention. It is paramount to recognize that this reform represents a fundamental imperative, not a discretionary option. Its passage will enforce the unambiguous intent of the law, fostering a framework of fairness, consistency, and legal accountability in sentence calculations across the entire Commonwealth.

It is time to enact ong overdue reform in our prisons, jails, and courts.

I am writing in support of HB449. Virginia remains only one of two states in the U.S. without state class actions. The absence of this remedy means that small dollar fraud and other legal violations do not get addressed. The company committing the fraud or violation can continue to take these unlawful amounts because they are so small. It is not worth it for an individual to take action and the company's practice gets to continue. I recently spoke with an elderly person who was charged an unlawful $70 fee in the form company loan documents. This was an unlawful practice affecting hundreds of Virginians that could have been stopped with a class action. Without that tool, this company gets to keep up this illegal action with impunity and make money off of Virginians. Practices like these that are allowed to continue harm the law-abiding businesses. The shady company makes more money and profit than the company with integrity. You will likely hear from industry representatives talking about how it will harm businesses, run them out of the state and other things in the "parade of horribles." Please do not ignore fact that state class actions operate in 48 other states and businesses manage to operate there and follow the law.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

Vote "yes" on this bill. Abusing a child is one of the most despicable crimes, and there is no reason to have a statute of limitations. Children are too young to speak up, sometimes the memories get cordoned off in the mind to protect themselves, and the average age to speak up is 52. If you vote "no", then you are protecting the abuser instead of the abused. A man spoke at a previous presentation of this bill to say that if you remove the statute of limitation, then it might cost more for insurance for some companies. Well, Virginia legislators, who are you protecting? The child victims, the abuser or the companies? You should protect the child victims and vote "yes." If insurance companies gouge customers, then maybe that's who legislators should target. When a child is abused, the crime last forever, so there should be no limitation in punishing the abuser.

Support this bill. Children often will not reveal abuse until years after it has occurred. Abusers often tell the victim that no one will believe them or that they will be blamed and hated if they reveal the information. It often takes many years for the victim to reveal the information and the perpetrators need to be prosecuted.

Child USA 2024 Disclosure of CSA is a complex, lifelong process. The process of disclosure often takes decades, and the “ideal” timing of disclosure should be up to the victim. Over 70% of victims do not disclose within five years of their experience of abuse. Most victims are only able to acknowledge and describe the abuse in adulthood. Approximately 1 in 5 victims of CSA never disclose their experiences of abuse. the average length of time before disclosure is around 20 years. Those who have experienced institutional abuse face an additional hurdle that appears to further delay disclosure. The average age of disclosure is 53. The Department of Justice estimated that 86% of CSA went unreported by victims before adulthood Immediate disclosure is rare. Most victims are not able to disclose to a mandated reporter or legal authority for decades because of the barriers they face. CSA victims face a variety of barriers to disclosure. There are profound long-term psychological, physical, and behavioral impacts of CSA trauma, and many victims do not report their experiences of abuse at the time due to social, psychological, or institutional barriers. Barriers include Trauma response: Early experiences of trauma impact the child’s brain development and functioning. Inability to communicate: Young children are typically unable to fully understand CSA and lack the language to describe the abuse Psychological barriers: Following abuse, victims may respond to the trauma by blaming themselves for what happened and feeling a sense of guilt. Gender: Although girls are more likely to be abused, male victims tend to disclose abuse later in life. One study found that men needed nearly 30 years before they were able to have a helpful, in-depth discussion about the abuse. Relationship to Perpetrator: Perpetrators are most likely to be a family member or someone known to the child. For their victims, the abuse is confusing, and the child may even feel like they need to protect the abuser Dysfunction in the family- CSA often occurs with other forms of child abuse or domestic violence, and survivors have reported fearing the reactions of others if they disclosed or the consequences of disclosure if police or other authorities became involved. Institutional setting- Many perpetrators of institutional CSA have a close relationship with the victim and are often a trusted adult in a position of authority or power. Abusers use their authority and power to take advantage of children who are isolated or have unmet needs Environmental & Cultural Barriers: Neighborhood or community conditions also act as a barrier, especially if there is a lack of family, school, or community support. Statutes of limitations (SOLs) were created centuries ago to promote fairness, assuming that evidence grows stale, witnesses disappear, and memories fade with time. But child sexual abuse is not like a breach of contract or a car accident case ; these are unique and devastating harms against children. Survivors often cannot speak for decades, silenced by trauma, shame, or fear. Many carry their painful shame to their grave. Under strict SOLs, survivors are told you are too late. The courthouse doors close not because the abuse did not happen, but because the arbitrary time limit has passed. abuse does not respect the clock, and healing may take decades, and for some —a lifetime.

I write in strong support of House Bill 538 and respectfully urge the Justice Committee to advance this legislation. My support for this bill is deeply personal and rooted in public safety. As a child, I was sexually abused by a teacher entrusted with my care. Like many survivors, I did not disclose the abuse at the time. The power imbalance, fear, grooming, and institutional silence surrounding abuse by authority figures made disclosure feel impossible. Years later, as an adult, I encountered my abuser on school property. That moment reopened trauma I had spent a lifetime trying to survive quietly. In 2019, I reported my assault for the first time after seeing him present in a school environment. Even then, the system did not protect children the way it should have. In 2024, legislation allowed my abuser to be removed early from the sex offender registry for crimes involving another child. That removal created a dangerous gap in community protection. Fearing for the safety of others, I cooperated with law enforcement, including undercover work, and obtained a confession. That cooperation ultimately resulted in felony charges, including rape, sodomy, and kidnapping. As a result, he is now back on the registry as a Level 3 offender for life. I did not take these actions only as a survivor. I took them as a paramedic. My professional life is built around crisis response, prevention, and protecting the public when systems fail. I am trained to assess risk, act decisively under pressure, and intervene when delay means harm. From that public-safety perspective, I saw firsthand how existing law created an opening that placed children at risk. Warning systems exist for a reason, and when they are weakened, communities pay the price. House Bill 538 recognizes a fundamental truth that survivors and first responders understand well: trauma does not operate on a timetable. Survivors often need years—sometimes decades—before they are emotionally, psychologically, or physically able to come forward. Artificial deadlines do not promote justice; they protect perpetrators and silence victims. This bill is not about punishment without due process. It is about ensuring that when survivors are finally able to speak, the law does not turn them away. It aligns Virginia’s legal framework with well-established medical and psychological understanding of trauma and delayed disclosure. As a parent, a paramedic, and a lifelong advocate for community safety, I believe House Bill 538 is a necessary step toward accountability, prevention, and healing. Children deserve protection that does not expire. Survivors deserve a justice system that does not retraumatize them by telling them they waited too long to be heard. I respectfully ask this committee to move House Bill 538 forward. Virginia has an opportunity to lead with courage, compassion, and common sense—and to stand unequivocally on the side of survivors and child safety. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Please vote "yes" to HB538. There should be no statute of limitations to the sexual abuse of an infant or child. It is a most heinous crime, and, obviously, the victims are too little to speak for themselves. These crimes don't get revealed by victims until the average age of 52. Why would any legislator want to protect the abusers of children due to an arbitrary cut-off point? FYI, the U.S. Congress is introducing a bill to incentivize states to remove the statute of limitations (HR5560). Allow for justice for these child victims. Vote "yes."

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

WE NEED THIS TO PASS!!!!! PROTECT MYLGBTQIAP+ FRIENDS. LOVE IS LOVE!!!

It is down right morally wrong to force Virginia taxpayers to pay for a special group of people’s court fees. It is disgraceful especially when the General Assembly increased their salaries. This is another example of the leftist form of discrimination. The Democrats do not care about anyone else except themselves and creating a tyrannical regime.

I urge you to vote in favor of these bills, all of which have a common interest -- to protect Virginia residents from unconstitutional action by Federal authorities that are charged with protecting the population. The bills are : HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, 1492. My family knows a naturalized U.S. citizen from El Salvador who came to the United States because he married a U.S. citizen. He was arrested in Pennsylvania and held for three days, because they thought he might be an undocumented alien based on racial/ethnic profiling. He had to hire a lawyer to get out. Virginia law enforcement must not cooperate with Federal security forces that are carrying out such unconstitutional activities. My name is Julie Schechter Torres. I am a member of Temple Rodef Shalom. Our houses of worship must be safe from activities by law enforcement. Our schools must be safe for children. I know a 9-year-old child who is legally present in the United States but didn't want to go to school for days after ICE went to her ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Children are not a threat. If ICE is focusing on criminals - as they say they are - they are in the wrong place. Going there to capture adults is once again using children as "bait". I have lived in countries where criminals stop cars and kidnap people. There is no way to know that law enforcement authorities are who they say they are if they wear masks and don't show identification. There is no reason someone carrying out legal law enforcement activities should need to hide who they are or what they are doing. Masking is just a means of covering up unlawful action. Please pass these bills to protect Virginians.

I am wanting to write in support of HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1265, HB 1438. These bills would work towards truly and wellbeing of helping the community that lives here within the Commonwealth. The behavior and actions of federal officers are dangerous as they are spreading fear and harm that directly work against the trust and wellbeing of many immigrants and other people of color that are present here. Many of those who are directly impacted as they are less likely to feel safe to contact emergency services for life saving care, going to the store for groceries, taking children to school, going to court for things even like protective orders that could help promote their safety- to just name a few. People deserve the ability to live with dignity and safety and these bills would take the necessary steps to helping promote public safety for all.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from intimidation by federal immigration enforcement. They strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting law enforcement officers from obscuring their identities. I oppose HB1459, which would force state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would seriously damage public trust in local law enforcement.

I have watched the news and live feeds from Minneapolis, and today I watched testimonies of violations, physical abuse and murder by ICE. It is hard to not see we are in a Constitutional and humanitarian crisis at a scale I never thought could happen here. Please do not bring this to VA. As Virginia is the birthplace of our Constitution, can we make the choice to refuse this standing army, search and seizures? the beatings and destruction of property and disruption of freedom peace and commerce ICE and similar agencies leave in their wake? We are not being protected by them, but living in terror of them. The trust is gone. And, every decent law enforcement officer carries the massive burden of association with these violent, incompetent, sadistic, rogue, racist hypocrites. Ice must be abolished NOW. Humane reform to immigration law, the justice system, detention conditions (including medical care, oversight without notice, access to lawyers without being shipped out, family visits, and provisions for the safety of people who trusted our country as asylum seekers .) As for actual ,violent criminals- we have a system in place and none of this is necessary if we have trust between communities and law enforcement. Ice needs to be scrapped first for something new - for the people, with the consent of the people , to take its place. What are they but roving patrols racial profiling? I am PROUD of our civil rights legacy in our state. We can take a stand and refuse funding and quartering. We should all be able to look to law enforcement as heroes- the people we could call for help. Every act by ICE... The stalking in the streets, the threats to peaceful protestors and Constitutional recorders, and the fear so many goo community members, citizens snd non-citizens live with every day does not even feel like our country. To think we spend this massive amount of money to torment people working hard and doing their best? I'd rather the money go to give a family a shot at the American Dream, instead of paying someone to try to turn guns on them for pay. Our immigrants- They are our heart. They love this country and its promise. They are strong and brave and they work hard and have strong families and faith. They are full of love and share art, culture, dance, music, food and traditions, a love for community many of us can learn from. It is a terrible thing to not embrace and love these people who give so much and ask for so little. I cannot understand how these people are treated like an object to kick, hold down, choke, gun down, jail or murder, without so much as looking at paperwork. Please end this now, for the love of God. If you do not abolish ICE, remove funding and contracts and don't allow masks or lack of badges. Help prosecute when THEY are the violent criminals. But really, get them out and keep them out. Let our own trained police officers handle the crime. Thank you.

I am a resident in the city of Richmond and I demand the restriction and removal of ICE agents from our communities. I support the bills put forth that seek to limit the access and activities of immigration and law enforcement agents. Thank you

My name is Lillian Komarow. I am a resident of District 12. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492. I am also writing in opposition to HB 1459. I grew up in the extremely diverse Northern Virginia area and I know that immigrants are a huge part of what makes Virginia the beautiful melting pot that it is. I know that immigrants have a wide array of reasons to come to Virginia, but ultimately my personal experience has shown me that immigrants want to live and work in peace. They contribute to Virginia in many positive ways economically and culturally– not that that should be a requirement to be treated humanely. Even if I did not have this background, I would know that the terror we are seeing ICE indiscriminately inflict on undocumented immigrants and US citizens alike across the country is abhorrent. It is imperative that Virginia citizens are able to freely access community services without fear of harassment from federal agents. Across the country we are seeing ICE and CBP agents deliberately terrorize families simply trying to take their children to school or to the doctor. There have been stories on the news of domestic violence victims being too afraid of ICE terrorization to show up to their court dates. Ultimately the actions of ICE are deterring people from accessing important services, and this creates ripple effects into the community by making us ALL less safe. Please protect Virginia citizens by passing HB 1440, HB 650, HB 1260, through. The Commonwealth has both the right and the duty to ensure free and fair election for its citizens. Elections cannot be free and fair when people are afraid of being detained at polling places solely due to their appearance. ICE agents’ presence at polling places would be nothing short of voter intimidation. Please protect the sanctity of our elections by passing HB 1442 through. The responsibility of local and state law enforcement should be to protect and serve Virginia citizens, not waste our resources and create mistrust by collaborating with increasingly hostile federal immigration operations. In addition to sapping limited state and local resources, collaboration blurs accountability for racial profiling and other abusive tactics federal agents take, and opens Virginia police departments up to lawsuits. Both law enforcement leaders and crime victim advocacy organizations alike have spoken out against Virginia law enforcement participating in immigration enforcement, citing eroded trust between police and victims, and even described instances of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors being unwilling to seek assistance. Please pass HB 1442 to prevent this mistrust and wasting of resources, as well as HB 1262 so that Virginians can trust that they are not falling into a trap when seeking immigration assistance services, HB 1264 so that Virginia citizens know they have an Accountability Commission keeping watch on federal agents conducting military style operations in the Commonwealth, and HB 1482 so that federal agents can further be held accountable by not concealing their identity. For the purpose of protecting Virginians, our resources, and our right to free and fair elections, I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492 and oppose HB 1459.

For over a decade, federal policy has limited immigration enforcement in “sensitive locations” like schools and health care facilities. That commonsense safeguard was rescinded in January 2025. Since then, we’ve seen the real‑world harm: there are schools shutting down after Border Patrol tackled students and staff, chronic absenteeism as families fear sending their children to school, a family seeking care for their young daughter detained in a clinic parking lot, and families separated at courthouses while trying to attend their legal proceedings. These incidents show what happens when enforcement reaches places where children and families should feel safe. HB 1260 is a straightforward bill that protects the safety and wellbeing of students, families, and school communities. It doesn’t change immigration law or limit federal authority. It simply ensures that when immigration agents appear on a school campus, schools respond with transparency, notice, and due process—so learning doesn’t stop because fear takes over. We know that surprise enforcement near schools ripples far beyond one family. Students stop attending. Parents pull back from teachers. Staff don’t know how to respond. Working directly with immigrant children every day, my colleagues and I have seen firsthand the negative effects of children feeling unsafe while attending school. Many have expressed not wanting to attend school, struggling to focus, and feeling scared in a place they should feel safe in. HB 1260 addresses this clearly and responsibly. HB 1440 extends these same commonsense protections to all “protected areas”—hospitals, preschools, public colleges, and offices of Commonwealth’s Attorneys. It prevents staff from granting access to nonpublic areas for immigration enforcement. This ensures that Virginians living their everyday lives can access essential services without hesitation or fear. And finally, HB 650 brings this same principle to courthouses by prohibiting certain civil arrests in these settings, so Virginians can safely appear in court, participate in proceedings, and support loved ones without fear. Now more than ever before, we must ensure due process is uninterrupted and protected for all living in Virginia. Together, these bills uphold constitutional norms, reduce confusion, and keep children and families safe in the places they must be able to trust. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the Committee to advance HB 1260, HB 1440, and HB 650. Thank you

As a Virginian voter and constituent, I’m urging the House Subcommittee to pass all of the bills that aim to limit ICE’s reach in Virginia. Immigration agents are acting like masked thugs, roaming the streets, harassing innocent Americans, and escalating tensions in ways that put people’s lives at risk. The murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota, Keith Porter in California and countless violations against people of color being held against their will in ICE custody should alarm every American who cares about justice, due process, and public safety, regardless of political party. It’s part of a deeply troubling pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by federal immigration agents against our communities, including U.S. citizens. More than half of voters in the nation disapprove of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws. Even law enforcement leaders are sounding the alarm, criticizing ICE for using tactics that “unnecessarily endanger the lives of both law enforcement officers and the community” and committing acts that are “against not only legal law, but the moral law.” The state of Virginia has the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Illinois, Oregon amd other states where they’ve restricted ICE enforcement against vulnerable communities. We all have the right to be safe, regardless of whether one is a citizen or not.

Dear Virginia House of Delegates, I am writing in support of all bills in this Block 1 subcommittee (HB650; HB1260; HB1262; HB1264; HB1265; HB1438; HB1440; HB1441; HB1442; HB1453; HB1459; HB1482; and HB1492). Each bill has the same underlying principles, in my view, that undergird each one and is worthy of widespread support and consideration. 1) Greater accountability for any abuses of power - something our government is supposedly predicated upon from its foundations of checks and balances. 2) Respect of human dignity - lest we forget another person's humanity and spiral into forms of depravity experienced on widespread scale even within our lifetimes, our parents' lifetimes, or our grandparents' lifetimes, anytime dehumanization becomes the norm and public opinion becomes apathetic we ought to have sirens blaring warning signals. As a conflict prevention and response professional, I have thorough knowledge of human rights abuses at widespread scale at the hands of unchecked power -- the enslavement of Africans and brutality of the chattel slave trade and its legacy of abuses through the Jim Crow Era onward, the forced disappearances of Argentina and Chile, the Holocaust, forced kidnappings and assimilations of First Nations and Native American children at Indian Boarding Schools in Canada and the United States, and more. These bills hold that some places ought to be preserved to honor the humanity in our neighbors, even those who may be undocumented - polling places, courthouses, schools. These bills provide guardrails that Virginia needs to both maintain the humanity of all people, even those who are undocumented. It serves to safeguard the hearts and minds of those citizens and legal residents who have been continuously profiled based on their perceived or actual national origin, and provides more psychological safety for those in our communities who are being targeted from the national stage to local actors dispatched from ICE who have done nothing unlawful. These forcible, unchecked, and brute forces of strength have brought about unnecessary and widespread fear, school absences, medical inattention for fear of being targeted in public, and traumatic experiences for young children and youth. Virginia House of Delegates must provide a healthy check and balance and honor its constituents. Vote in support of these bills. Sincerely, Jena Kitchen

We support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB4141, HB1442 AND HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This legislation is intended to strengthen the public trust in our civic places and to improve accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure the identity of members of law enforcement. We are particularly mindful of comments suggesting that ICE members might surround polling places in our November 2026 elections. The presence of masked individuals in any of Virginia’s polling places would interfere with the electoral process at all levels and discourage people from freely exercising their right to vote. The intimidation of voters has no place in this Commonwealth. The Silver Team for Democracy is a group of senior citizens registered to vote in Virginia.

I support this bill and am in favor of the increased safety it will provide for our communities and for my neighbors. I support banning face coverings for federal officers, restricting immigration enforcement officers to 40 feet from polling places, and prohibiting immigration enforcement from schools, hospitals and other above mentioned safe spaces. Limits need to be placed on rogue federal agents, due process upheld and American communities protected.

I am a resident of Alexandria, VA House District 5. I am writing in support of bills in support of HB650, HB1260, HB 1262, HB 1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. These bills are a critical way that we Virginian's can ensure the safety of our communities from Federal overreach. HB650, HB1440, and HB1442 would protect areas that were traditionally not targeted for immigration enforcement. These places, schools, hospitals, courts, places of worship, are critical in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our community. Right now, families regardless of their immigration status are afraid to leave their houses in order to attend church, go to school, get medical care, or attend important court hearings because they are rightfully worried they will be unjustly detained by ICE due to the color of their skin, the language they speak, or their accent. These bills would help restore access to these Virginians. HB1442 is especially important, as it stops enforcement of immigration laws within 40 feet of polling locations. Given statements by the administration on using ICE around polling places, this bill is critical to ensuring the integrity of our elections. HB1438, HB1441, and HB1482 are critical in building public trust with state and local law enforcement. Currently, federal immigration agents do not identify themselves and wear masks. This causes not only fear in the community and obstruct accountability for these agents, but it makes communities distrust any person wearing camo or who looks like law enforcement as it is difficult to tell who is a federal agent and who is our local law enforcement. These bills also work to prohibit local/state law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law without a judicial warrant. This takes the burden off of local law enforcement in determining what type of warrant they must honor and how they should interact with federal immigration authorities. Finally, HB1260 ensures that schools across the Commonwealth understand and have a plan to interact with immigration enforcement. This bill instructs schools to limit immigration authorities from entering nonpublic areas without a judicial warrant, again restoring to children their ability to attend school without fear. This bill also removes the responsibility and burden from local school boards in determining when and how they should respond to federal immigration authorities, and protects them from being targeted by the administration. In totality, these bills protect Virginians and work to return to them their rights to due process and their sense of safety and dignity that have been taken by the administration.

Any even mildly engaged Virginian ought be alarmed at the slow civil war being carried out on the people of Minneapolis. That is why I fully support HB1264 and HB1482 as critical societal checks on the administration's unfettered military force. Additionally, I support HB650/HB1260 (aren't these the same bill?), HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, and HB1441 for creating safe places and walling off our own government and enforcement agencies from this radical influence. Lastly, steps taken in HB1442 could become extremely important to protecting our democracy as the administration would spiritually invert the Second and Third Enforcement Acts, using the same federal authority that stopped the KKK from harassing black voters in 1870 to instead perform the same kind of intimidation on brown voters in 2026. I oppose HB1459's mandate of cooperation with ICE to snatch untried people out of custody, circumvent the consequences of convicted people by our own justice system, or enact additional punitive measures post incarceration. There is additional alarming language that might imply "going after the families". If state and local PD have a case where they want to cooperate, they already can do so. This bill removes that choice and puts it into a provably untrustworthy institution. I generally support HB1262 and HB1492 for cracking down on bad actors that would take advantage of these troubling times. However, I question the necessity of HB1492: while the long imagined scenario is extremely troubling, we have already seen what evils actual ICE officers are capable of, and how low the bar for entry is. Would this actually help? I mislike HB1453, which goes against our rights as American citizens and good Samaritans to non-violently oppose the actions of federal terrorists.

It would be wrong for the Commonwealth to provide additional assistance to federal immigration enforcement while those federal officers obscure their identities, flout the nation's laws and harass and detain citizens. Do not permit these same federal officers into our schools, hospitals or state offices without authorization.

My name is Yonah Walter. I am a resident of District 10. I am writing in support of bills which enhance public trust in our law enforcement and respect civil rights in our communities. I am a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Jews United for Justice, but I speak as the great-grandson of immigrants who came as chain migrants with the help of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and as someone inculcated with strong Jewish values including a bedrock principle of respect for all. The American promise of "liberty and justice for all" was a strong call for my family, but to now hear our government speak so coldly about immigrants - let alone to see how our government has mistreated those they even suspect of being immigrants - has disappointed me greatly. The shooting deaths by ICE of nearly a dozen Americans in just the last few months, and the immoral and self-serving rush by the government to blame the victims in those shootings, demands we act to curb these abuses and keep our government in check. We need accountability from government agents, which includes the right to know who purports to represent us and act on our behalf in law enforcement. We need to protect access to public spaces like courthouses and (perhaps especially) polling places. We need to vigorously protect the right of people to move freely without fear of harassment or assault by law enforcement. We need to restore trust in our government. I respectfully urge this committee to support the following: HB650 HB1260 HB1262 HB1264 HB1265 HB1438 HB1440 HB1441 HB1442 HB1482 HB1492

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from intimidation by federal immigration enforcement. They strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting law enforcement officers from obscuring their identities. I oppose HB1459, which would force state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would seriously damage public trust in local law enforcement.

My name is Paula Roney. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB650, HB1260, HB 1262, HB 1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This would strengthen public trust and improve accountability. As a long time Virginia public school educator, a grandchild of immigrants who came to this country to escape persecution, and a member of Jews United for Justice, I know the importance of welcoming immigrants to our country. I’ve worked with many students who came to the United States, often on their own, to escape harrowing circumstances. It is vital that they, and all other people are able to attend school, receive medical treatment and be able to access the legal system without fear. Therefore it is critical that our Commonwealth protects access to these vital community services. I respectfully urge this committee to support these bills. Thank you.

My name is Susan Kohn. I am a resident of District 15. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 650,1260, 1262,1264,1265,1438,1440,1441,1453,1492 and in opposition of HB 1459 and 1482. As a pediatrician I am horrified to see my immigrant patients and their families living in fear. I work with children through a non-profit organization that helps to provide access to medical and dental care in Fairfax County. We see hardworking families who are afraid to access health care or even to send their children to school. They worry when someone leaves the house. Will they come back from work, the grocery store, court or school- or be taken by ICE? How can they continue to provide for their children? The children and teens I see were brought to the United States for a better life. Many experienced violence, political upheaval and uncertainty or severe poverty in their countries of origin, which led their parents to seek a place of safety, where they could thrive. My grandparents came to this country in the face of pogroms that terrorized our families in Eastern Europe. They worked hard, as our current immigrants do, to make a future for their children. Our Jewish sacred texts obligate us to care for the stranger and treat all with respect and kindness. They are part of the fabric of a great society. Our neighbors must be able to testify in court if they have been victimized or if they have requested asylum, without the fear of being deported when they show up. All Virginians, whether they are citizens or not, must have the right to access schools, hospitals, places of worship and polling places without fear of intimidation or deportation. All must be able to clearly see the identity of law enforcement personnel and have their day in court with proper representation if accused. Local police should be doing the work of maintaining safety for all residents- not helping ICE deport people without due process. As a Virginian I believe we have a duty to protect those who are most vulnerable in our community. At this time it is our immigrant neighbors who need our help. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265,1438, 1440, 1441,1442, 1453,1492 and oppose HB1459 and HB1482.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

My comment refers to all bills on the agenda. The Commonwealth of Virginia must take any and all legal action to prevent ICE from terrorizing any Virginia individual or community. This includes all people who come to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, just as the many millions before them have done throughout America’s history.

I am writing in support of HB650. This bill serves to protect all community members in sensitive spaces. No member of our community should live in fear of arrest when they are required to appear in court. If the Commonwealth is requiring a member of the community to appear in court, then the Commonwealth should be responsible for providing for that person's safety; including safety from arrest. Furthermore, given the recent unprecedented attacks seen by DHS and ICE against the most vulnerable members of our community, it is even more imperative that we provide an additional layer of safety in these sensitive spaces. Failing to do so leaves these individuals at significantly increased risk for detainment and arrest, when they are simply following the will and order of the Commonwealth. As a constituent I strongly support the measures put forth in this bill, and ask that the House of Delegates do the same.

We want public safety, not public abductions and executions. We have learned that ICE does not respect rule of law or human rights, so support these bills to keep Virginians safe. Every child deserves an education. Every child deserves to be safe at school. Every sick or injured person deserves medical care. So keep ICE out of our school, hospitals, and courthouses. No judicial warrant should mean no entry- and limit what civil arrests can take place in courthouses. We want police to protect, not persecute. So eliminate 287g agreements in Virginia. Allow our local law enforcement to do their job of keeping communities safe, instead of doing ICE's dirty work for them. We want rule of law, not rule by masked mobs. Do not allow law enforcement to cover their faces. That's not community policing- that's KKK tactics. We want free and fair elections, not a return to Jim Crow era intimidation at the polls. Citizens are not safe from ICE, either. Do not allow the federal government to use "immigration enforcement" as a rouse to silence eligible voters through fear and profiling. Support: HB650 - Callsen HB1260 - Shin HB1262 - Glass HB1264 - Shin HB1265 - Glass HB1438 - Guzman HB1440 - Lopez HB1441 - Lopez HB1442 - Lopez HB1453 - Williams HB1459 - Zehr HB1482 - Schmidt HB1492 - Shin

Like many Americans, I have become increasingly alarmed by the immigration enforcement tactics being employed by ICE. While I agree that individuals who are here illegally can and should, in some cases, be deported - ICE is terrorizing immigrant communities in a way that is completely unacceptable and, frankly, un-American. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482, which would help protect our immigrant communities from terrorization by ICE agents. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. Thank you, Zachary West Constituent from Alexandria

It is essential that we take steps to protect Virginia’s communities and especially in sensitive spaces - our kids, the sick, faith communities. We must protect courtrooms and the rule of law and polling places to allow for free and fair elections. ICE is a threat to our democracy and our safety and that of our neighbors. Please do all that you can to preserve the needed checks and balances and protect our democracy!

I’m very concerned with the overreaching of ICE. They have terrorized communities, broken apart families, disrupted children’s education, wrongfully detained people and even murdered American citizens. Please keep all safeguards in place to protect our citizens. Warrants should be in place before they come after people. ICE agents should follow the same laws and training that police officers are required to. ICE should not be allowed to wait outside or enter courthouses. They should not be wearing masks. This is leading to more dangerous escalations as we have seen in Minneapolis. Please vote to protect the rights of our people, maintain a safe community, and honor the laws and Constitution of our once great country. Please listen to your constituents. We are a country of immigrants and we are all humans. Do what is right.

As a long time resident of Virginia, I have watched the horrific attack on our immigrant population by our federal government. I write to encourage support of these bills to provide additional state protections to our local immigrant communities. It is the moral thing to do. Thank you. Stephanie Elms Alexandria VA

Please support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. Please oppose HB1459. I have taught English to immigrants (both adults and children) here in Roanoke for 15 years. They come from all over the world, speak all different languages, and practice all different religions. They are some of the most grateful, respectful, hard working, generous people I've met. They are a gift and a blessing to my community. All of them want to become legal citizens and contribute to our society. The undocumented ones are here out of desperation and our immigration system makes it impossible for them to be here legally while being safe from the danger of their home countries. I fear for their safety since ICE is unconstitutionally invading people's homes, detaining people without warrants, detaining people who have no criminal record, and have detained legal immigrants and even U.S. citizens. ICE is operating carelessly and irresponsibly. Please protect my immigrant neighbors, students, and friends. Thank you.

I strongly support every bill that limits federal immigration enforcement overreach. Virginia Majority stands in solidarity with immigrant communities across Virginia. We believe that all people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights. I support policies that limit federal immigration enforcement overreach, protect access to courts and essential services, and prevent local resources from being used to separate families and criminalize our neighbors. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries on immigration enforcement activities in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining the trust between local officials and the communities they serve. These policies have my support and are measures that would affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

SUPPORT: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, HB1492. OPPOSE: HB1459 Our communities deserve protection from the overreach of the federal government. At a minimum, this means putting strong boundaries on the activity of federal immigration officers and requiring them to follow existing laws and those that are enacted by this general assembly. We need to protect sensitive spaces like schools, courtrooms, places of worship, hospitals and polling places from ICE/CBP intimidation. All officers - including local law enforcement - should be prohibited from wearing masks or face coverings and ID should be required. In addition, local law enforcement should be prohibited from entering agreements with federal immigration officers and judicial warrants for enforcement should be required. Currently our communities are less safe. We need to stop the unchecked abusive activity by ICE/CBP.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I am a pro bono immigration attorney and court watcher, and forme rly a DOJ employee and I know first hand about the overreach of ICE in its detaining people who rather than being the worst of the worst, are actually the best of the best that America has to offer. I represent youngsters who have achieved Special Immigrant Juvenile status and they are still being dragged off the streets. Immigrants are the fabric of our society. We all either are immigrants or trace our roots to immigrants unless we are Native Americans, For those who are illegal because the US makes it is next to impossible to come here illegally from countries inhabited by people of color, they benefit our country, and now we are openly banning those people and giving preference to whites falsely labeled as victims of racism. The system is inverted. We should be thankful for all immigrants. . Instead, the Trump regime treats them - nif they are people of color - like they aren't even human. It's despicable, and it needs to be stopped. Practices that used to be unheard of - going into churches and schools and courthouses and private homes, warrantless, to drag immigrants away from their families and into detention - are commonplace. And inhumane. And much is unconstitutional. We cannot become the next Minneapolis. God bless their response to the invading terrorists. We'll do the same if we have to. But you can prevent it or at least mitigrate the damage. The steps you can take are to use your legislative authority to create protections for the immigrants in our state. You can and must support protection that at least attempts to reign in ICE, among other legislative goals: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would, among other policies, protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. And they would prevent local law enforcement to work with federal immigrant officers in their terrorizing of immigrants. As we devolve into authoritarism, I am begging you to slow down the march, doing what you can do to protect Virginians. Hopefully, state legislators all over the country, not just blue states, will do the same and protect americans - citizens and non-citizens - from the gross abuses of the law and the lack of humanity of this regime. I know I will continue to fight the regime but Virginians need the help of their legislators in this monumental task. Thank you.

I am in support for HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers; restricts face coverings and requires identification of law enforcement; and prohibits state/local law enforcement from entering agreements with federal immigration officers; requires judicial warrants for enforcement of immigration; I oppose HB1459, misleadingly titled "The Ice-free Communities Act". Requires that when VA law enforcement is holding someone in custody and receives an immigration detainer, they must notify ICE/CBP of the date and time of the detainee's expected release.

HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to respect and protect the riaghts of ALL Virginia citizens. I strongly I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482.

When someone is following the law and attending court -coming or going - they should not have to fear being civically arrested. And those pursuing civil arrest should not be allowed into the building unless they have a JUDICIAL warrant that would need to be reviewed by a court officer or attorney. We are seeing this across the country with non-citizens who are following court orders to get their green cards legally and with those immigrants protected by the laws of asylum. I support VA on HB650 which also has a companion bill in the Senate.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. Mary Bennett Alexandria Resident I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Mary Bennett Alexandria Resident

My name is Rachel Waldstein. I am a resident of District #1. I am submitting this testimony in support of the following bills: • HB 650 Callsen Courthouses • HB 1260 Shin Public elementary/secondary schools, etc; federal immigration investigation and enforcement activities • HB 1262 Glass Va Consumer Protection Act • HB 1264 Shin Virginia Accountability Commission • HB 1265 Glass Courthouses • HB 1438 Guzman 287g • HB 1440 Lopez Protected Areas • HB 1441 Lopez 287g • HB 1442 Lopez Polling Place Protections • HB 1482 Schmidt facemasks • HB 1492 Shin Impersonating federal law enforcement officer I oppose the following bills: • HB 1453 Williams Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty • HB 1459 Zehr Ice-Free Communities Act; notification to federal immigration authorities of pending release of certain prisoners from custody I am a member of Congregation Etz Hayim in Arlington and spent a large part of my career representing the U.S. government in the protection of human rights around the world. I support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 based on my Jewish values and my life’s work. Jewish tradition and law recognize the equality and dignity of all people and respect their right to life, bodily integrity, health, housing, education, and due process. The Jewish people have been refugees many times in the past and have often experienced mistreatment by authoritarian governments. It is thus my duty to stand in support of marginalized communities and against government abuses. Law enforcement authorities should not deprive anyone--even those in this country illegally--of life, liberty, or property without following established legal procedures that respect their rights. Since the Federal government has abdicated its responsibilities before the law and Constitution, it is up to the States to uphold national and international human rights law. Passing the above listed bills will make our communities to be safer and will give Commonwealth officials a legal basis to push back on Federal law enforcement officials who break the law. I strongly believe HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 will improve the lives of all Virginians by allowing us to return our focus to strengthening our economy, education and healthcare systems, and by returning a sense of humanity to our Commonwealth. I oppose HB 1453 and 1459, which I believe will create more fear in our communities and impede Virginians’ ability to express their First Amendment rights. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 and to oppose HB 1453 and 1459.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I strongly support the following bills and urge the committee members to pass them on so they can make their way to the House in order to be discussed by all the Delegates: HB1492, HB1482, HB1453, HB1442, HB1441, HB1440, HB1438, HB1265, HB1264, HB1262, HB1260, and HB650. These bills provide much needed limits on ICE agents, and life-saving protections for tens of thousands of people in our commonwealth. Please do the right thing and keep these bills alive and moving through our legislative system.

Bills HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482 have my support and I think they are needed in these times. Courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals should be safe places for al and free from heavy handed ICE tactics.. I oppose HB1459 -- ICE should not get any help from law-abiding Virginia forces.

Support HB 650 1260 1262 1264 1265 1438 1440 1441 1442 1482

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

Regarding proposed bills HB650, HB1260, HB 1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482: As an alarmed citizen I urge the Safety committee to advance the urgently needed provisions in these bills to help rein in the increasingly extreme and unlawful activities of CBP and ICE.

My name is Margaret Power. I have been a voting resident of District 6 for 37 years. I am submitting this testimony in support of most of the bills pending for your action today. I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants escaping poverty, famine, and persecution in their native land and striving to afford the ‘chain migration’ that re-united them with their families. I am the great-niece of German Jews who were denied entry and were murdered in Hitler’s camps. I am the daughter-in-law of an American Jewish woman, who, as a 13-year-old, escaped Poland and crossed a remote stretch of our northern border without documents during the Hitler years when America turned away refugees. I am the grandmother of two talented, bi-lingual and totally adorable Americans who are nearly as brown as their naturalized father, a Colombian-born doctor. I fear their own government will harm them. Or kill them. Truly- I cannot believe that a time has come in which it is not insane for me to have such fears. I belong to Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls church, where, in collaboration with other faith communities, we have long organized sustained support and services for new refugees, predominantly Afghan friends of the US. As Chairman Simon knows, our community actively advocates for inclusive and just public policy here in Richmond and in the nation’s capital. I respectfully urge you to send these bills forward and to advocate for their passage; collectively, they protect Virginians from violent abuses of federal power, they ensure that some of our essential public services- schools, hospitals and the courts- can be accessed by all; they preserve the sovereignty of the Commonwealth with respect to our law enforcement roles, while assuring federal-state-local collaboration with respect to removing criminals from our midst. As a package, they reinforce the rule of law, including protection of our constitutional rights; they reduce the likelihood of violence in our public spaces; they offer our neighbors - and my grandchildren- better protection by requiring federal immigration agents follow the same transparency standards as state and local law enforcement, and they restore some measure of confidence that we citizens are also unlikely to be kidnapped, injured or murdered so long as we are Virginians. I oppose passage of HB 1453, as it limits our right to free expression, and I also oppose HB1459, which is unnecessary because the Governor’s executive order allows federal-state cooperation with respect to convicted criminals, and, if read to add instances in which individuals can be delivered to DHS, would breach the boundaries established by HB 650 which I strongly support. I respectfully urge this subcommittee to support HB#650, HB#1260,HB#1262,HB#1264,HB#1265, HB#1438, B1440,HB1441,HB1442,HB1482, AND HB1492

I support all these bills which, to my reading of them, extend protections of the law to people attending court appointments so that they cannot be detained by immigration enforcement authorities (or people impersonating immigration enforcement authorities). I support requiring law enforcement officials to not wear masks and to have visible identification, and also not to engage in immigration enforcement activities. I also support bills which protect schools, churches, and private workplaces from immigration enforcement activities, and require judicial warrants (warrants signed by a judge) for any immigration enforcement operation. I would like to see bills requiring due process for any persons detained, including but not limited to access to a lawyer, ability to make phone calls, and right to be treated with dignity and humanity.

see attached.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would extend protection to sensitive civic spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers using easily obtained administrative warrants, strengthen public trust and accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity and require that all federal, state and local law enforcement agents are clearly identified by badge and agency, and restrict state and local law enforcement from entering into agreements that require that they act as immigration enforcement officers. There has been ample video footage and court rulings that show that CBP and ICE have exercised excessive force in many of our nation's cities and towns. We need laws that will help to keep Virginians safe.

Writing as a concerned Virginia resident and parent. I support passage of any bill that limits or prevents ICE from acting lawlessly as they have been around any protected spaces. Our neighbors, children and communities should be able to safely conduct business and learn without fear of ICE grabbing them, possibly causing long term trauma from over aggressive tactics to settle what is a civil matter. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442 and HB1482. I oppose HB1459 to work with ICE in any capacity due to their cruelty.

I fully support every bill that safeguards and protects our immigrant neighbors from the lawless, cruel, immoral and shameful acts committed by federal agents and DHS.

My name is Cindy Denton-Ade . I am a resident of Burke, District 10 . I am submitting testimony in support of bills HB 650, 1260 ,1262 ,1264, 1265,1438,1440,1441,1442,1448,1482,1492. I am a member of Temple B’nai Shalom. All of my Grandparents were immigrants from other counties: the Ukraine, Belarus. If not for the welcoming policies of the United States when they immigrated, they would have been surely been all killed in the Holocaust. My very lovely handyman, who comes from Columbia and is a citizen, was fearful about driving to D.C. Because he felt he would be targeted by ICE. This is not right! Jewish values promote welcoming and protecting the stranger. These bills will go a long way to do just. Virginia, my chosen home, has taken many positive actions since Governor Spanberger has taken office. Let these bills be an addition to actions we can be proud of in protecting immigrants men, women, and children.

Hello, We support the bills that were checked off above to decrease the power & tyranny of ICE. We don't want law-abiding VA citizens exercising their civil rights to be assaulted, injured, or killed. Also, please OPPOSE HB 1459. Unfortunately, if passed, this will give ICE an edge in harassing and arresting our immigrant neighbors. Third, do any of these bills disallow ICE facilities from either opening or operating in VA? If not, is there a way to introduce this language in one of the proposed bills? Thank you! Ana & David Shannon

As a concerned resident of Alexandria who cares deeply about my neighbors, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I strongly oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

To Va State Legislators, The Trump regime is terrorizing our communities across the US with brutal Immigration enforcement campaigns designed to test the limits of Executive power and the nation’s willingness to stand up against Trump’s Power grab. Masked federal agents are teargassing babies and pastors, Kidnapping neighbors and shipping them off to what will soon be known as American Concentration Camps. To make matters worse these thugs are Killing innocent people right in front of our own eyes. This is outrageous. This pattern of unchecked violence and abuse by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Border Patrol, and other federal law enforcement agencies must end. And surely these types of operations by such thugs have NO PLACE IN our state of VIRGINIA! As state legislators, YOU can rein in this type of lawlessness and protect Virginians from these types of unconstitutional actions and keep us all safe from these thugs! We support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills above would protect sensitive spaces like cortrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. Simply put, Passage of these bills will strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. We oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Please work together and vote to Pass HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. Keeping our Virginians safe and protected is your number one job! AND OPPOSE HB 1459 to keep us safe and to build public trust in law enforcement! Your constituents, James and Elizabeth Dolan Arlington, Va. 02/04/2026

HB 650 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1260 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1264 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law by attempting to intimidate federal law enforcement officers. OPPOSE. HB 1265 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1438 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1440 Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1441 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1442 If Illegals aren’t supposed to vote, why would this bill be needed? OPPOSE HB 1482 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement law enforcement by intimidating them. In some instances, their identity needs to be protected to prevent retribution. OPPOSE HB 1492 This is already a violation of federal law and is unnecessary. See 18 USC SS 912 and SS 913. OPPOSE

Hello, My name is Tyneshia Griffin and I am constituent in Kimberly Pope Adams's District 82. I am in strong support of HB1492, HB482, HB1441, HB1440, HB1438, HB1265, and HB650. These bills are urgently needed to protect immigrant communities and all communities in the state from racially motivated, state-sanctioned, community-based violence being executed by federal agents, local law enforcement affiliating with federal agencies, and citizens who may be motivated to violently target immigrants in the Commonwealth to also stoke fear, shame, panic, and harm on their of their own volition. In my area, ICE has invaded public spaces, kidnapping folks from bus stations for example, making it less safe for members of my community, including myself access transportation, feel safe to move about in our community, and safe free detainment and incarceration. I do not depend on transit solely, but when I need it, it is incredibly helpful for helping me get around the area safely and cheaply. Seniors with no transportation support, folks getting to and from work, students going to school, and folks looking for temporary shelter deserve access to safe public transit, streets, schools, faith centers, workplaces, courthouse, neighborhoods - throughout their entire community. My neighbors and I deserve to be treated with dignity and protected from community-violence and detainment in inhumane jails/camps and these bills provide for that and a failure to pass them fails to complete these responsibilities by leaders and the state. Protect Virginians, protect immigrant communities now.

My name is Karen Menichelli, and I have resided in Arlington, VA, for over 40 years, currently living in House District 1. I have cherished the diverse and welcoming nature of my community and feel enriched by the many immigrants from around the world who have decided to make their lives here. I am worried for my neighbors given the unnecessarily reckless and cruel practices of our federal immigration officers exhibited in cities like Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, WI. I don’t want those behaviors, which sow mistrust and waste resources, brought to Virginia. I want to protect the humanity, dignity, and safety of our immigrant neighbors and allow free access to important community services without fear of harassment or harm from federal agents. Therefore, I strongly support the above indicated cluster of bills under consideration by the Public Safety Subcommittee and urge the subcommittee to champion these bills and send strong versions to the full House for a vote.

My name is Ricki Henschel. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of Jews United for Justice in support of all of the following bills: HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. JUFJ organizes Jewish Virginians and allies in support of local campaigns for social, racial, and economic justice. Judaism teaches that we are all made in the image of God. The Bible is clear that we are to welcome the stranger, as this is mentioned more times than any other obligation in the Bible. The assault on and kidnapping of individuals by ICE, pulled from their cars, their homes, their places of work, as if they were violent criminals, is directly in opposition of Jewish values, and should not be happening in our state. . The vast majority of those arrested are not individuals who have committed any crime, and many are in the process of obtaining legal status. We also know that citizens are also being taken because they fit the profile. The ICE raids and deportation machine are harming people indiscriminately: Parents, children, and students are being swept up as they attend routine immigration check-ins and court hearings, go to work, and run their errands. In my community, children are scared to go to school, and parents are concerned about taking their children to school, including those who with legal status, as the reality is that ICE is sweeping up individuals based on skin color and accents. Asking for papers and documentation and creating a reality where people feel they have to always have their papers on them everywhere they go, is reminiscent of every society that has been overtaken by autocracy. In addition, as an individual who has experienced sexual violence, it is no surprise that many in our community are afraid to go to our courts or access services. Everyone should be able to live with safety and dignity – including going to court without fear. Enabling law enforcement to be masked adds to the trauma being created. In addition, state and local police need to be seen as those protecting our communities, not as part of the federal work of ICE. And most recently, the threat of having ICE at polling places has been introduced. This must not be allowed in Virginia. Many citizens fit ICE’s profile, and they will be harassed and maybe too frightened to go to the polls. This can not be allowed. I respectfully urge this committee to support each of these bills that control the methods and manner in which ICE operates within our borders–HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. We have the right to require them to follow our laws and the US Constitution. We must welcome the stranger.

I am a resident of Virginia state district 39. We have seen our fair share of unidentified, masked men who have harassed and intimidated our citizens. Please move these bills forward. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I am writing to encourage the passage of all possible legal remedies to protect our immigrant neighbors from indiscriminant and inhumane enforcement of federal immigration law, especially HB 1438 and HB 650. The first is particularly important to prevent local and state law enforcement from being distracted from their fundamental responsibility to protect the people of the Commonwealth and enforce its laws. Moreover, our state and local law enforcement officers should not have their respect in the community undermined by cooperation with federal agencies that have, under the current administration, displayedegregious disregard for the human and constitutional rights of people living in the United States, for due process, and ordinary procedures for investigating charges of misconduct. HB 650 is equally significant. People should not be afraid of participating in court proceedings by the prospect of arrests unrelated to those proceedings and should be fully protected from arrest without the due process enumerated in this bill.

It is clear to me that the actions of ICE and CBP are not simply aimed at carrying out immigration laws; these federal agencies are rapidly being turned into a paramilitary force whose purposes are intimidation and provocation. Virginians will not tolerate exposure of sensitive paces to their tactics, or collaboration with them by state and local law enforcement. Consequently, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and I oppose HB1459.

I am a resident of Reston, VA. I am a US Army veteran and Federal retiree with almost 30 years of service to the US. My father’s side of my family immigrated to this country from England sometime in the 1630s. My mother’s side of the family immigrated from Scotland in the late 1750s. To the best of my knowledge, they were undocumented. I believe strongly that I have a right to stay in this country. I have met, heard about, read about, and studied people who have been here longer than my family, and some who have come very recently. If we examine the accomplishments and potential of these folks who arrived before or after my family, none are less deserving of a right to be here. As you study our history and our culture, one realizes that the contributions of immigrants are what makes this country so unique and wonderful. It isn’t how big our Army is, it’s the fact that you can find a taco truck, an Ethiopian restaurant, pottery from Poland, and fashion from France on the same block. It’s in the fact that nearly 100 languages are spoken as mother tongues in Fairfax County Schools. It’s in knowing that this country was built on the backs of African slaves and immigrants from every continent in the world, and the cultures of those immigrants have mixed into the most wonderful stew that we are allowed to enjoy every day. Now, let’s get real. Undocumented people can’t vote, aren’t eligible for benefits, and pay taxes into our system. They work very hard for low wages. Immigrants, much less those who are undocumented, commit crimes at SIGNIFICANTLY lower rates than white men. In short, immigrants are a net gain for our society. The images and stories we are seeing regarding ICE and CBP untrained, unprofessional paramilitary wreaking havoc in Minneapolis is like watching footage from another country. I keep asking myself how we got here, while unfortunately, people of color are saying it has been this way all along. Given that we weren’t aware of the total number of people ICE and CBP killed until they murdered two white people, I am concluding they must be correct. In 2025/26, 40 people have died at the hands of ICE. That is 40 too many. I am in favor of any legislation that hinders the ability of ICE to murder more people regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual preference, genetic information, immigration status, or whether or not they are exercising their 1st, 2nd, 4th, or 14th Amendment rights. I am in favor of any legislation that allows immigrants a path to citizenship. While a small minority of people may disagree with me, this is NOT a white nation, and I am against any legislation that tries to turn it into one — even if it is couched in pretty language like “protecting our ‘heritage,’ or ‘our women.’” Please pass any legislation that treats our immigrant population in accordance with human rights, human dignity, civic sense, and common decency. Thank you.

(This plea concerns all House and Senate bills that would provide greater protections for our immigrant population and stop government overreach by DHS and ICE.) Letter of Support for Policies Protecting Immigrants Dear Governor Spanberger, Virginia Delegates, and Virginia Senators, As a citizen who sees all humans as treasured and worthy of respect, I ask you, Governor Spanberger and all Virginia delegates and senators, to support all ICE OUT bills, specifically the following bills to benefit the lives of all citizens and provide specific protections for our immigrant community: HB 660 | HB 836 | HB 911 | HB 1161 | HB 1260 | HB 1265 | HB 1438 | HB 1440 | HB 1441 | HB 1442 | HB 1482 | HB 1492 SB 351 | SB 352 | SB 446 | SB 783 | What each of us has witnessed in California, Washington State, Chicago, North Carolina, and Minneapolis to include traumatization of targeted people and onlookers, great injury, and execution style killings must not become business as usual in Virginia. Please regard the humanity in each person across our Commonwealth and support the passage of these bills. Thank you, Mary Lib Morgan 12401 Dutton Road | Apt 2409 | Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 928-2057

I am writing in strong support of each of the indicated bills that aim to protect immigrants, and those perceived as immigrants, from the threat and violence perpetuated by ICE. As a Social Worker that works across the Central Virginia region, I have seen my neighbors and clients directly harmed by ICE. Families have been torn apart, resulting in physical, psychological, and financial harm. Furthermore, the threat of ICE has prevented communities I care about from safely accessing healthcare, basic needs, public spaces, and even school. These policies would take an important step to protect the rights and livelihoods of all Virginians, and they would affirm our commonwealth's commitment to ensuring its residents have safe and fair access to participating in civic life.

As a longtime Virginia resident and a person of faith, I am alarmed by ICE's and the DHS's recent gross misconduct, including murdering U.S. citizen. Therefore: I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support any bill that abolishes ICE. We need to go back to a civilized nation. At the moment we are not one. Killing innocent Americans for demonstrating their first amendment rights. We need to stop rounding up people for the color of their skin. This is not a Wild West rodeo. Our government has violated numerous constitutional laws by not doing lawful procedures. We promised after the concentration camps where Japanese citizens were detained that America would not do that again. Again America has broken its promise to its citizens. They are removing people who are not criminals and people seeking a better life. Some as they appear for court hearings that they needed to do to become citizens. Let’s go back to a civilized country and start respecting both law and order and stop quotas on human beings. You are helping Americans and the world lose any respect left for America and its government. The three murders that gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti had YEARS on the CBP or ICE before those killings. It was like watching a firing squad executing people for no reason. Just being around people that were trigger happy and had no training from years ago. I have watched children have guns held up to their faces. CHILDREN. You are taught to never draw your weapon as a fear tactic or a control technique. It’s common knowledge. Let’s make real immigration laws that help people become American. These immigrants pay more into our treasury than Trump did for three years only paying $750 each year. Or Amazon that paid no taxes. The immigrants contribute to our country and economy unlike billionaires and corporations. Actually we have subsidized Elon more than any taxes he has paid. He has caused more harm to America and Americans safety than any immigrant. Stop this funding of this illegal under trained private police that is not protecting Americans but killing them. I question how anyone who supports this can even say they are Christian. From the brutality of humans in detention, lack of medical care, food that I would only put in my compost bin, to breaking up families, the abuse and murder I have seen and the rounding up by skin color. You do know Jesus was a dark skin Palestinian don’t you? So guess he would be rounded up if he was around today. I have never been so ashamed to be an American and I’m 72 years old. But I know it wasn’t me that made the decisions it was you. That gives me some peace. Find your soul, remember again why we were given the statue of liberty or let’s donate it to a country worthy of that beacon of light. We are distinguishing its significance. I hope you also were able to see the monks marching for peace. They are true humans with love and kindness to all. I am grateful to see so many people touched by them and their journey. In solidarity, Cindy Johnston

I am writing in support of the bills checked above. The bills I would protect immigrants from illegal and abusive practices by ICE and Border Patrol. As events in Minnesota have tragically illustrated, all of us, citizen or not, immigrant or not, legal or not, need protection from these federal agents. Enact these bills to protect sensitive spaces, unmask and identify federal agents, require judicial warrants for immigration, and prohibit state and local law enforcement from entering cooperative agreements with federal immigration officers.,

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement

I would like to lend my support to the passage of these bills. However, I would like to go further. Under no circumstances should any member of the government, police force or Sheriff’s Office cooperate with ICE or Border Control. BUT given that ICE will disobey the laws anyway, I want them out of Virginia entirely, and ideally, dismantled completely.

Please vote in favor of protecting our immigrants from ICE harm!

I support these bills. I volunteer with hospice patients and see how the fear of ICE is affecting our much needed and legal caregivers who fear leaving home to go to their clients. One has been disappeared. I hear from my high school grandchildren the concerns at their schools. This is not how we should be living in the USA.

SUPPORT: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, HB1492. OPPOSE: HB1459 Our communities deserve protection from the overreach of the federal government by putting boundaries on the activity of federal immigration law enforcement officers. We need to protect sensitive spaces like schools, courtrooms, places of worship, hospitals and polling places from ICE/CBP intimidation. All officers should be prohibited from wearing masks or face coverings and ID should be required. In addition, local law enforcement should be prohibited from entering agreements with federal immigration officers and judicial warrants for enforcement should be required. Currently our communities are less safe. We need to stop the unchecked abusive activity by ICE/CBP.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support these 7 bills that protect sensitive spaces from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust in VA. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust. Thank you.

I am a long time citizen of Henrico and I am horrified at what is happening with ICE and border patrol in my country now. I hardly recognize this country or the Republican party any more. I am asking all of my reps to do whatever you can to defund ICE and to make them take their masks off, to get much better training and to have signed warrants whenever they are looking for specific people. Finally they should not be allowed to go in schools or houses of worship. Thankyou.

I am deeply concerned about our state and the rest of the country. Immigration enforcement has affected our economy, our well being and our neighbors. Children should not have to live in fear. I am descended from German and Irish immigrants. In their name I submit these comments. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their community. I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. Accountability is important to restoring trust. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement. Please protect Virginians. Protect our children. Protect our communities. Thank you.

I believe it is critical to protect Virginians from excessive and brutal immigration enforcement. To that end, I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement and would not serve the interests of the state of Virginia. Thank you for your consideration. Laura Bloodgood

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I do not support face coverings or lack of ID for any law enforcement I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I SUPPORT all bills EXCEPT HB1459 I OPPOSE HB1459

I am a resident of state house district 4, state senate district 9, and am a citizen, yet have had multiple people in my life affected by the dramatic changes in immigration action by this administration. I believe it is important that even if we do deport or question immigrants who are not here legally, all of the actions of federal agents and law enforcement must follow or constitutional protections. That is the foundation of who we are as a country before anything else. And this overreach asks affects the vulnerable and our civic institutions when places like schools, hospitals and courthouses are regularly raided with scary, anonymous soldiers. Please vote to limit the overreach and provide commenters reforms. Thank you, Matt Goldstein

I want the legislators to support the above designated bills and any bill that will cut funding, decrease, limit or completely shut down community and law enforcement support for ICE.

Bills: HB1265 (Glass) and HB650 (Callsen) Position: SUPPORT Courthouses must function as neutral, accessible spaces where individuals can participate in legal proceedings without fear of unrelated civil enforcement actions. HB1265 and HB650 are essential to preserving access to justice and due process in the Commonwealth by prohibiting civil arrests in courthouses and establishing enforceable protections. Legal and empirical research demonstrates that the threat of civil arrest—particularly immigration enforcement—in or around courthouses has a documented chilling effect on court participation. Individuals who fear arrest are less likely to appear for hearings, serve as witnesses, comply with court orders, or seek protective relief, undermining both due process and judicial efficiency (Eagly, 2019; Kohli et al., 2011). In Virginia, these impacts are especially acute in General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts, where survivors seek protective orders, parents appear in custody matters, and tenants and workers pursue basic legal remedies. When individuals avoid court out of fear, cases are delayed or dismissed, warrants may issue for failure to appear, and victims and witnesses are effectively silenced. This does not enhance public safety—it weakens it. Virginia’s court system depends on voluntary participation to function effectively. Research shows that enforcement activity in civic spaces erodes trust in legal institutions and reduces cooperation with courts and law enforcement, particularly in immigrant communities (Eagly, 2019). This erosion directly conflicts with the Commonwealth’s interest in efficient case resolution and community safety. Importantly, prohibiting civil arrests in courthouses does not prevent lawful enforcement elsewhere. Instead, it draws a clear boundary that protects the integrity of court proceedings. Jurisdictions that separate civil enforcement from courthouse activity report improved court appearance rates and increased willingness of victims and witnesses to engage with the justice system (Kohli et al., 2011). HB1265 and HB650 reinforce courthouse neutrality, strengthen due process, and support public safety by ensuring that access to justice is not conditioned on a person’s immigration status or vulnerability to civil enforcement. I respectfully urge the committee to report both bills favorably and protect our neighbors here in Virginia. Eagly, I. V. (2019). Immigration enforcement and access to justice. UCLA Law Review, 66, 100–170. Kohli, A., Markowitz, P. L., & Chavez, L. (2011). Secure Communities by the numbers: An analysis of demographics and due process. Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy.

The United Church of Christ Justice and Witness Action Network – Virginia supports HB650. As people of faith, we are deeply disturbed by the abuse of basic human rights and the constitutional violations being perpetrated in our communities by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. ICE is terrorizing our immigrant population, the vast majority of whom are NOT criminals. The way arrests are being carried out creates an atmosphere of distrust between residents and local law enforcement officials. Targeting of individuals at courthouses is especially egregious, because if immigrants fear that showing up in court may result in detention and possible deportation, our justice system itself becomes compromised. People are afraid to show up for routine legal hearings. Victims are afraid to report crimes, witnesses won’t show up to testify – leading to further erosion of public safety and creation of a climate of fear that destabilizes our entire community. Our courthouses should be safe spaces that are off limits to ICE. We urge you to vote yes on HB650 to protect everyone’s access to Virginia’s judicial system.

I strongly support all the proposed legislation for protecting my neighbors and community, providing civil causes of action, placing a 9/1/26 termination date on existing local ICE agreements. We should not be using our tax dollars and other resources to assist a law-breaking federal government that is pardoning drug traffickers, killing and detaining legal residents and citizens, and promising protection for its agents who violate our Constitutional rights. Thank you.

The Virginia State Conference supports HB 650 HB 221 HB 1265

Tahirih Justice Center respectfully supports HB 650. Please see submitted attachment.

I am a sworn law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia and I respectfully submit this testimony in opposition to House Bill 650. While the bill is framed as limiting “civil arrests” in courthouses, its language makes clear that it is specifically directed at civil administrative warrants issued on behalf of state or federal agencies for civil immigration purposes, including enforcement actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill also defines that “arrest under civil process” and “civil arrest” do not include arrests for contempt of court or other lawful enforcement of court orders. HB 650 is constitutionally problematic. Federal immigration enforcement is a matter of national sovereignty governed by the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. State laws cannot nullify or impede lawful federal immigration authority. By attempting to restrict civil administrative arrests in courthouses, this legislation invites legal conflict and potential litigation, placing Virginia in opposition to the federal government while offering no clear public safety benefit. Beyond its federal implications, the bill raises broader operational and public safety concerns. Its sweeping language could unintentionally prevent the enforcement of other civil orders or warrants issued under state law, including family court protective orders, civil detainers, or court-issued arrest warrants for violations of civil mandates. In practice, law enforcement officers may face confusion or hesitation, unsure whether executing a legitimate civil warrant in a courthouse could expose them to legal penalties. This could undermine compliance with court orders, delay justice, and place both officers and the public at risk. Courthouses are public spaces where justice is administered. Limiting the ability of law enforcement to enforce valid civil process—even inadvertently—compromises the rule of law. Civil enforcement, whether for immigration purposes or other judicially authorized civil orders, serves an essential public safety function. HB 650 imposes barriers that could chill enforcement, create unnecessary legal exposure for officers, and obstruct timely execution of lawful court orders. While the intent of the bill may be to limit certain federal civil enforcement actions, the broad language and lack of clarity expose Virginia law enforcement to operational ambiguity, unintended legal conflicts, and public safety risks. Any reforms aimed at regulating civil enforcement should be carefully tailored to avoid interfering with federal authority or lawful state civil processes and to ensure officers can execute their duties without fear of unintended liability. For these reasons, I respectfully urge the members of this committee to oppose House Bill 650. The legislation is constitutionally vulnerable, operationally problematic, and risks undermining both the enforcement of lawful civil orders and public safety in Virginia.

It is down right morally wrong to force Virginia taxpayers to pay for a special group of people’s court fees. It is disgraceful especially when the General Assembly increased their salaries. This is another example of the leftist form of discrimination. The Democrats do not care about anyone else except themselves and creating a tyrannical regime.

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

The Arc of Northern Virginia and REV UP Virginia support this bill. We have talked to people who wanted to serve on a jury but were not given basic accommodations, and feel this bill would remedy that issue and bring us in line with the long standing Americans with Disabilities Act (1990).

On behalf of the Virginia Young Democrats Disability Caucus, we'd like to express our full support and endorsement for HB 671. This bill would prohibit the exclusion of individuals with disabilities from jury service on the basis of disability, and would require that any determination of competency be made only after reasonable accommodations have been provided.

OPPOSE HB 688 ON ACCOUNT OF CONSPIRACY/GUILT OF ASSOCIATION/DISCOVERY/INVESTIGATION OF OTHER CRIMINALS... TRUMP/EPSTEIN/GHISLAINE MAXWELL CASE LAW... PERVERTING_THE_COURSE_OF_JUSTICE OF MY/KEVIN NEWBY REGINA MOBLEY CASE/VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT

OPPOSE HB 73 ON ACCOUNT OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES DON'T KNOW RELATIONSHIP HISTORY/SURROGATES AND WASTE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS. OPPOSE HB 202 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION. SUPPORT HB 273 ON ACCOUNT OF LIFE SAVING OPPORTUNITIES ARE NECESSARY AND PROPER. OPPOSE HB 133 ON ACCOUNT OF FRAUD/WITNESS_TAMPERING OF WILLS/TRUST. SUPPORT HB 350 ON ACCOUNT OF WITNESS_TAMPERING JURY TRIAL. SUPPORT HB 364 ON ACCOUNT OF COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASE. SUPPORT HB 449 ON ACCOUNT OF SLAVERY/REPARATIONS/VICTIMS OF CHATTEL SLAVERY. OPPOSE HB 510 ON ACCOUNT OF PERVERTING-THE-COURSE-OF-JUSTICE. SUPPORT HB 538 ON ACCOUNT OF JEFFREY_EPSTEIN/CASE LAW... WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION OF VICTIM OF PEDOPHILIA/INCEST/CHILD SEX ABUSE. SUPPORT HB 671 ON ACCOUNT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE/GED. OPPOSE HB 803 ON ACCOUNT OF GENTRIFICATION.

Good afternoon, My name is Colleen DeLeo, and I am writing to express my strong support for HB839, which would allow the Judicial Council of Virginia to review court failures related to Kayden’s Law and Grace’s Law. I am reaching out because I would be honored to assist with the efforts to advance this legislation and to share my personal testimony if it would be helpful. I am a mother, an elementary education major at Regent University, a Substitute Teacher with Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and an advocate for children, families, and survivors of domestic violence, with over 10 years of experience in early childhood education. Through both my professional work and my lived experience as a survivor, I understand how court failures impact children and families and the lasting trauma these systems can create. Prior to relocating to Virginia Beach in August, I was part of a coalition in Massachusetts that helped pass the coercive control law. Through my testimony and advocacy as part of that coalition, I contributed to efforts that have helped thousands of survivors of domestic violence obtain orders of protection in Massachusetts, strengthening safety and legal accountability for victims and their children. As a direct result of that legislation—and after a two-year divorce and custody battle—I was awarded my divorce and sole legal and physical custody of my child. Those protections, alongside federal safeguards under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), were instrumental in helping me secure safety, stability, and the ability to rebuild our lives and relocate to Virginia Beach. Since moving to Virginia, my children and I have been thriving, and I am deeply grateful for the community we have found here. However, my continued advocacy work has shown me that many families are still facing similar court failures. I currently advocate for children and families navigating these systems, and I see the urgent need for accountability, review, and reform. As an educator working toward Virginia teacher licensure and as someone who has spent the past two years advocating for children and families, I strongly believe that HB839 is a necessary step to ensure children’s safety and prevent future harm. Kayden’s Law and Grace’s Law deserve careful review so that court failures are identified and addressed before more families are harmed. I will be organizing and leading an Advocacy Day on February 16 through my organization, Rooted by the Shore, and would welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your staff to discuss HB839, Kayden’s Law, Grace’s Law, and how these efforts align with the intent of VAWA. I am also willing to provide testimony or additional context at any time. https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-deleo-rootedbytheshore/ Thank you for your time, your service, and your commitment to protecting children and families across the Commonwealth. I sincerely appreciate your consideration and hope to connect soon. Sincerely, Colleen DeLeo Founder Rooted By The Shore

I am a former resident of Winchester, VA. In 2010 I was abducted, assaulted, and raped which resulted in pregnancy by someone that I knew or so I thought. I pressed charges against him and he was jailed and later took a plea deal. He asked if I would let him take a plea and in turn he would not interfere with raising of the child. I was given a 2 year protective order for me and my child but that did not stop the torment. I moved with permission of the court to Texas and he followed me here. He continued abuse and threats to kill me. He eventually went back to Virginia, but maintained residency in Houston, TX. He has utilized litigation abuse and has drug me back and forth to Virginia. My son and I have not been protected on any level. My son is currently with our abuser with assistance of a system that was supposed to protect us. My case has been going on for 13+ years and the abuse caused my son PTSD as well as myself. I reached out multiple avenues for help with nothing. I would be glad to give further testimony about all of the things that have happened including a judge that I consulted with refusing to recuse himself and hearing the things I consulted with him about (how to protect my son and myself having been raped). I was told to basically play nice and it has put my family in danger. The courts have denied us due process and have violated our constitutional rights and the laws that are supposed to govern Virginia. It is truly criminal to be victims of Domestic/Family Violence then to be failed by the courts and further abused and traumatized by those who took an oath to the constitution and follow the law. We urgently need HB839 for Judicial Council of Virginia to evaluate how the courts have failed our children and us as victims of family abuse.

VOTE YES FOR HB839 and all other bills that align with Biden’s 2022 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and oppose any bills that mandate “shared parenting”, “equal parenting”, and use “parental alienation” and fail to address the gender and racial biases intentionally written into our laws. I am the founder and lead policy advisor for MRCI. The “study group” for HB839 is required by the House Subcommittee for the Courts of Justice, due to their failure to form one in 2024 for Kayden’s Law, “Keeping Children Safe from Violence”, and punt the problem to the “Family Law Coalition”, which is a severe conflict of financial interest, protect family law attorneys, future judges, GALs, custody evaluators, parent coordinators, etc. if VA adopts Kayden’s Law, it will unlock $25 million federal dollars. This study group must be composed of 49% or judges, family law attorneys, and anyone else who have conflicts of interest and profits from any component of child custody proceedings and rulings. The research data and information this Judical Council of Virginia needs already exists, so their work should be a minimal burden. Practically all laws, policies, and guidance pertaining to child abuse and domestic violence in Virginia are not in compliance with VAWA. Fairfax County is in gross violation of VAWA, despite receiving almost $16 million federal dollars from VAWA but has the LEAST number of DV and victim advocate services available to children and women, of all the regions in Virginia.

VOTE YES TO HB839. I am the protective mother of a daughter who was wrongfully removed from my custody on June 7th 2022 due to numerous false allegations of “kidnapping” by my ex-husband and due to multiple constitutional rights violations, namely due process. These kidnapping charges were eventually dismissed after 2.5 years of court-ordered torture and stalking/cyberstalking/hacking/deleting evidence from my electric devices and so much more. Both my daughter and I suffer from severe complex PTSD and dissociative seizures. Why did he do this? It’s simply due to lack of self-love, a love for others, and a moral compass. And because I am an exceptional mother by any metric and my ex-husband had minimal physical access to me after we separated, so he continued to weaponize our own daughter as revenge for me refusing to be a stay-at-home mother and refusing to allow him to control every part of me, including my own body and mind, attempted strangle/rape me, imprison us inside our own home multiple times, including forcing me to wear his clothes and shoes so I couldn’t run away, tricked me into his car, and essentially kidnapped me in the middle of the night on April 30, 2015 to the ER, and said there was a surprise inside there for me. Later he said I didn’t commit myself to a psychiatric ward and do other things he demanded, I would never see our daughter again. I was so traumatized, I seized over and over again for hours and the ER staff was unable to figure out what was wrong with me and perplexed. I was misdiagnosed me with “postpartum psychosis”, aka the Andrea Yates baby killer syndrome, because my ex lied and told them I was “manic” “off my meds”, had “postpartum depression”, and “suicidal”. Not one ER staff member asked me any questions about my medical history or took me aside privately to screen me for domestic abuse. For years, my ex threatened, manipulated, and weaponized our daughter against me. My ex-husband repeatedly told me I would never see her again if I didn’t obey him and other highly disturbing When I sought help, the courts failed us. My reports of abuse were dismissed, while I was arrested on false allegations. The result: court-ordered trauma, stolen birthdays, and a lifetime of fear and instability. This abuse is part of a documented pattern called Child and Mother Sabotage (CAMS). Research shows: • Gendered Pattern: Over 97% of cases involve fathers deliberately undermining mothers and sabotaging the mother-child relationship. • Strategic Control: Abusive fathers manipulate children, extended family, and professionals to isolate mothers, often using sexist stereotypes to paint mothers as “hysterical” or “vindictive.” • Weaponization of Children: Children are coerced to align with the abusive parent; courts sometimes honor children’s expressed “wishes” despite clear histories of abuse. • Severe Impact: Children experience loss of contact with their safe parent, trauma, and often become suicidal. Post-separation abuse is a pervasive societal problem. Studies of 48 U.S. and Canadian cases (2011–2022) show fathers use psychological, legal, and economic abuse — including weaponizing children — putting mothers and children at serious risk of trauma and deprivation of basic needs. HB 839 is about accountability. Protection from harm is not optional and only for the privileged, wealthy, white, and male. It is a basic human right for all children, all women, ALL HUMANS.

My name is lacey swift my sons name is odin swift hes 5 years old. I had sole legal and physical custody of odin for 4 years. Until his father punished me for moving on. My ex filed false reports that were proven false and used those false reports to file false paperwork for custody. Cumberland County Virginia should have only transferred my custody to chatham va since we no longer lived in Cumberland County. They didnt instead they illegal took my son in 2 hearings in 6 months without real cause. My son should be returned to my care immediately and his father and all parties involved the gal his attorney the judges involved should all be held responsible for violating my constitutional rights and my parental rights. They also should be prosecuted for perjury as both of them committed perjury. I tried to get the court hearing records and the clerks office informed me they dont keep records of hearings. There is a huge lack of accountability and it runs so deep that reporting to other agencies is a dead in . Cps in Cumberland County defended hoarding . The victims witness coordinator didnt help me . Theres no help or justice for families hurt by the judges gals and other government officials. They are supposed to uphold the laws and constitutional rights not strip them away from me. The police did not help when i finally had the courage to speak up about the things my ex had been doing to me for years. Should we all sue the countys and officials responsible because the amount of damages caused by these judges will absolutely cause the government financial collapse. And we deserve to be compensated for our pains and suffering and injustice. This is not a dictatorship but it sure does seem like its being run like one. We the people want our kids back we want accountability for the judges responsible. Thank you for your time i truely hope you hear my plea and understand that you do have the power to make things right so do it .

I am writing to express support for HB839 and to urge its advancement as a critical step toward protecting children and survivors of family abuse. I speak from both professional experience and firsthand knowledge. I have witnessed the devastating impact that domestic violence has on children as they navigate fear, instability, and trauma in environments they cannot control. Far too many children fall victim in domestic violence situations, experiencing not only physical harm but also profound psychological and emotional abuse. Many become primary or secondary victims of violence, carrying lifelong trauma that shapes their development, behavior, and future opportunities. Research confirms what advocates and survivors have long known. Most child abuse occurs within the family and is often perpetrated by a parent or caregiver. Intimate partner violence and child abuse overlap in the same families at rates between 30 and 60 percent. Children who witness intimate partner violence are approximately four times more likely to experience direct maltreatment than children who are not exposed to such violence. Alarmingly, a child’s risk of abuse often increases after a perpetrator separates from an intimate partner, even when the perpetrator has not previously directly abused the child. Through my work as a domestic violence advocate, I have seen firsthand how children are impacted. Too often, children are the ones who end up hurt. The court system, while essential, can be confusing, retraumatizing, and ill-equipped to fully recognize the dynamics of power, control, and manipulation that exist in abusive relationships. The cycle of abuse is vicious. This is why the work group proposed in HB 839 is so vital. Understanding the complex realities of family abuse and how they intersect with custody decisions is essential to meaningful reform. The bill’s focus on examining power dynamics in custody cases, the misuse of court proceedings as tools of harassment, and the perceptions and biases that influence outcomes reflects a deep and necessary awareness of the challenges survivors face. It is also critically important that judges recognize and apply the principles outlined in HB 839. Judges play a pivotal role in determining whether children remain in environments where violence and trauma persist. Children cannot control their circumstances or advocate for their own safety in the way adults can. When courts fully understand the intent of this bill and act decisively, they have the power to interrupt cycles of abuse and remove children from situations where they are being traumatized and victimized. By studying improvements such as expanded access to legal representation for survivors, mandatory judicial education on trauma and abuse, enhanced guardian ad litem training, increased accountability measures, and the potential limitation of custody for alleged abusers when credible allegations exist, HB 839 offers a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to reform. Supporting HB 839 is not merely a policy decision—it is a moral obligation. Protecting children from violence within their homes is fundamental to building safer families, stronger communities. This bill represents hope for children whose voices are often unheard and whose safety depends on the decisions made within our courts. For these reasons, I urge you to support Virginia House Bill 839 and the creation of this essential work group.

I am a 36 year old mother of 7. I have been in and out of court for the past 3 years and I’ve encountered some very dangerous and alarming behavior in this town. We have people in positions of power who are unlawfully and inhumanly taking children from good loving homes. There is no due process. There is no evidence. There is no help for us parents who have been affected. There are several key players who have been active in several different cases all needing up with the children being removed. Judge Nancie Williams is one of the worst criminals I have ever seen. Please investigate her. We as a group have so much evidence against her and we are continuously ignored. Karen Holeman GAL. Is also just as guilty of criminal activity. Please investigate her. There are no laws in place to protect families from vicious and damning allegations in jdr court. There are no cameras in court to record these heinous crimes.there is no record of what was said by who. There are no transcripts of these hearings and these people have NO ONE to answer to! Nancie Williams took my 13 and 11 year old from me on august 22,2023 and I’ve been fighting ever since. My kids where given to MY ABUSER. The gal never did a home visit. I have so much evidence and so many people to come testify to my character and Nancie Williams threw every single bit of it out and wouldn’t hear from ANYONE. The law firm Bauchbaugher and Mcquire has never lost a custody case and I was pro se for much of my trial. There where so many allegations made against me by my ex and this law firm and Nancie Williams took every single allegation to heart and punished me SEVERELY! I went from having my kids to only seeing them every other weekend from 10am to 5pm. She tried to throw me in jail for posting on Facebook about this! She even court ordered my ex and my abuser to be aloud to DRUG TEST ME AT EVERY VISIT ! He himself! Not a professional lab! There are so many red flags in my case and in the families around me! Please help us! These bills have to change! There are laws that need to be put in place to prevent this from happening. There are other laws that need abolished to prevent physical misconduct and abuse at the highest level! My family and I have been through absolute HELL because of our local government. Please help me!

This bill is absolutely necessary. As a domestic violence survivor who fled due to what was happening to my children, I’ve seen first hand how the system treats victims of coercive control. We have a 90% chance of losing custody to the abuser. In my case, I was labeled as malicious for reporting, as a mandatory reporter who faced fines and jail time for not reporting, only 4 of the hundreds of things my children told me their father did or continued to do. I ultimately got put on supervised visitation for this because I was emotional and no proof was ever looked at. The evidence and studies are clear on coercive control and domestic violence but the courts, GAL’s and CPS have no idea what is going on. He who has the most money and can remain calm (after years of abuse), wins. This in no way goes to the best interest of children and causes them further harm, which also harms the future of our Commonwealth and takes more tax dollars in the long run. Due to my extreme experience with the system, I vowed to prevent this from happening to anyone else. I am on the Parent Advisory Council for VDSS, the Family First Workgroup and various other groups to help reform the family justice system for domestic violence survivors and victims of child abuse and coercive control. I have spent time and money building relationships with legislators to help protective survivors and their children while reforming the system so that it does the job it was tasked to. I also work with children who have behavioral issues and are on the spectrum since I have the experience trying to help my children navigate through the violence and coercive control they have and are currently experiencing. In spite of this, one judge, who did not get complete information from one GAL who did not do her job, was able to label me as something I am not based solely on the word of my violent ex-husband. Something needs to change in our system and this bill is one of the best chances we have to make that change. Thank you for your time and consideration of my experience.

United Cherokee Indian deserve recognition stop playing with us .. our history speaks stop playing with us again you steady playing with us in our faces oblivious you folks need to step down from your position due to your actions ain’t working

My name George Craig and I live in Winchester,, VA. I am writing in favor of HB 8 and ask for your support and "yes" vote. It is important for Virginia to be prepared when there is an Article V convention called and to ensure the commissioner sent follow the limitation of their authority. Thank you.

Dear Members of the Virginia House of Delegates Rules Committee and Subcommittee on Studies), I'm writing to request your support for HB 839. This study is urgently needed to examine how Virginia’s juvenile and domestic relations courts handle child custody cases involving family abuse and to move Virginia toward implementation of federal law under Title VX, Keeping Children Safe from Family Violence. In October 2012, my fifteen month old son Prince was murdered by his father Joaquin Rams in Manassas, VA on his fourth unsupervised visitation. Despite the fact that several witnesses testified that Rams was abusive to both women and children, and a police officer admitted in open court that he was the sole suspect in the murder of his older son's mother (Shawn Mason) and possibly the murder of his other mother (Alma Collins), a judge gave him unsupervised visitation. While my case straddled Maryland and Virginia, Maryland has made progress on this issue in the last decade in ways that Virginia has lagged behind. After a similar working group years ago in Maryland, child protective legislation has been passed (Such as legislation to ensure judges are properly trained to handle child custody cases involving domestic violence). I urge you to consider investing in obtaining a better understanding of the civil rights crisis that our children are facing in family court. If you'd like to learn more information about the case that happened in your own backyard, I invite you to visit my website www.heramcleod.com and check out my book "Defying Silence: A Memoir of a Mother's Loss and Courage in the Face of Injustice". Link to where you can find the book is here: https://heramcleod.com/books/defying-silence/ Thank you so much for taking the time today to read a little about my story and thank you for considering putting your support behind this bill. Sincerely, Hera McLeod

I am a survivor of domestic violence, including coercive control and psychological abuse, and I share a child with my abuser. Although I left the relationship over ten years ago, the abuse did not end. It shifted into the family court system, where my child has been used as a means of control. Despite credible concerns, the focus has repeatedly been placed on the abuser’s convenience rather than my child’s safety, health, education, and emotional well being. HB 839 is critically needed to study how power dynamics, post separation abuse, and bias against protective parents affect custody outcomes in Virginia. This bill is an important step toward aligning Virginia practice with federal law under Title VX, Keeping Children Safe from Family Violence. I urge you to support HB 839 so children can be better protected in custody proceedings.

OPPOSE HB 1084 ON ACCOUNT OF VIRGINIA CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 1. BILL OF RIGHTS SECTION 12... ABUSE OF RIGHT... CASE LAW/EGGSHELL RULE/ JURISPRUDENCE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION/SYMPATHIZERS/ICE AGENTS/THEODOR_HERZL/ISRAEL SYMPATHIZERS WITNESS_TAMPERING/INTIMIDATION RENEE GOOD/ALEX PRETTI/PALESTINIANS.

I urge you to vote in favor of these bills, all of which have a common interest -- to protect Virginia residents from unconstitutional action by Federal authorities that are charged with protecting the population. The bills are : HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, 1492. My family knows a naturalized U.S. citizen from El Salvador who came to the United States because he married a U.S. citizen. He was arrested in Pennsylvania and held for three days, because they thought he might be an undocumented alien based on racial/ethnic profiling. He had to hire a lawyer to get out. Virginia law enforcement must not cooperate with Federal security forces that are carrying out such unconstitutional activities. My name is Julie Schechter Torres. I am a member of Temple Rodef Shalom. Our houses of worship must be safe from activities by law enforcement. Our schools must be safe for children. I know a 9-year-old child who is legally present in the United States but didn't want to go to school for days after ICE went to her ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Children are not a threat. If ICE is focusing on criminals - as they say they are - they are in the wrong place. Going there to capture adults is once again using children as "bait". I have lived in countries where criminals stop cars and kidnap people. There is no way to know that law enforcement authorities are who they say they are if they wear masks and don't show identification. There is no reason someone carrying out legal law enforcement activities should need to hide who they are or what they are doing. Masking is just a means of covering up unlawful action. Please pass these bills to protect Virginians.

I am wanting to write in support of HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1265, HB 1438. These bills would work towards truly and wellbeing of helping the community that lives here within the Commonwealth. The behavior and actions of federal officers are dangerous as they are spreading fear and harm that directly work against the trust and wellbeing of many immigrants and other people of color that are present here. Many of those who are directly impacted as they are less likely to feel safe to contact emergency services for life saving care, going to the store for groceries, taking children to school, going to court for things even like protective orders that could help promote their safety- to just name a few. People deserve the ability to live with dignity and safety and these bills would take the necessary steps to helping promote public safety for all.

I have watched the news and live feeds from Minneapolis, and today I watched testimonies of violations, physical abuse and murder by ICE. It is hard to not see we are in a Constitutional and humanitarian crisis at a scale I never thought could happen here. Please do not bring this to VA. As Virginia is the birthplace of our Constitution, can we make the choice to refuse this standing army, search and seizures? the beatings and destruction of property and disruption of freedom peace and commerce ICE and similar agencies leave in their wake? We are not being protected by them, but living in terror of them. The trust is gone. And, every decent law enforcement officer carries the massive burden of association with these violent, incompetent, sadistic, rogue, racist hypocrites. Ice must be abolished NOW. Humane reform to immigration law, the justice system, detention conditions (including medical care, oversight without notice, access to lawyers without being shipped out, family visits, and provisions for the safety of people who trusted our country as asylum seekers .) As for actual ,violent criminals- we have a system in place and none of this is necessary if we have trust between communities and law enforcement. Ice needs to be scrapped first for something new - for the people, with the consent of the people , to take its place. What are they but roving patrols racial profiling? I am PROUD of our civil rights legacy in our state. We can take a stand and refuse funding and quartering. We should all be able to look to law enforcement as heroes- the people we could call for help. Every act by ICE... The stalking in the streets, the threats to peaceful protestors and Constitutional recorders, and the fear so many goo community members, citizens snd non-citizens live with every day does not even feel like our country. To think we spend this massive amount of money to torment people working hard and doing their best? I'd rather the money go to give a family a shot at the American Dream, instead of paying someone to try to turn guns on them for pay. Our immigrants- They are our heart. They love this country and its promise. They are strong and brave and they work hard and have strong families and faith. They are full of love and share art, culture, dance, music, food and traditions, a love for community many of us can learn from. It is a terrible thing to not embrace and love these people who give so much and ask for so little. I cannot understand how these people are treated like an object to kick, hold down, choke, gun down, jail or murder, without so much as looking at paperwork. Please end this now, for the love of God. If you do not abolish ICE, remove funding and contracts and don't allow masks or lack of badges. Help prosecute when THEY are the violent criminals. But really, get them out and keep them out. Let our own trained police officers handle the crime. Thank you.

I am a resident in the city of Richmond and I demand the restriction and removal of ICE agents from our communities. I support the bills put forth that seek to limit the access and activities of immigration and law enforcement agents. Thank you

My name is Lillian Komarow. I am a resident of District 12. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492. I am also writing in opposition to HB 1459. I grew up in the extremely diverse Northern Virginia area and I know that immigrants are a huge part of what makes Virginia the beautiful melting pot that it is. I know that immigrants have a wide array of reasons to come to Virginia, but ultimately my personal experience has shown me that immigrants want to live and work in peace. They contribute to Virginia in many positive ways economically and culturally– not that that should be a requirement to be treated humanely. Even if I did not have this background, I would know that the terror we are seeing ICE indiscriminately inflict on undocumented immigrants and US citizens alike across the country is abhorrent. It is imperative that Virginia citizens are able to freely access community services without fear of harassment from federal agents. Across the country we are seeing ICE and CBP agents deliberately terrorize families simply trying to take their children to school or to the doctor. There have been stories on the news of domestic violence victims being too afraid of ICE terrorization to show up to their court dates. Ultimately the actions of ICE are deterring people from accessing important services, and this creates ripple effects into the community by making us ALL less safe. Please protect Virginia citizens by passing HB 1440, HB 650, HB 1260, through. The Commonwealth has both the right and the duty to ensure free and fair election for its citizens. Elections cannot be free and fair when people are afraid of being detained at polling places solely due to their appearance. ICE agents’ presence at polling places would be nothing short of voter intimidation. Please protect the sanctity of our elections by passing HB 1442 through. The responsibility of local and state law enforcement should be to protect and serve Virginia citizens, not waste our resources and create mistrust by collaborating with increasingly hostile federal immigration operations. In addition to sapping limited state and local resources, collaboration blurs accountability for racial profiling and other abusive tactics federal agents take, and opens Virginia police departments up to lawsuits. Both law enforcement leaders and crime victim advocacy organizations alike have spoken out against Virginia law enforcement participating in immigration enforcement, citing eroded trust between police and victims, and even described instances of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors being unwilling to seek assistance. Please pass HB 1442 to prevent this mistrust and wasting of resources, as well as HB 1262 so that Virginians can trust that they are not falling into a trap when seeking immigration assistance services, HB 1264 so that Virginia citizens know they have an Accountability Commission keeping watch on federal agents conducting military style operations in the Commonwealth, and HB 1482 so that federal agents can further be held accountable by not concealing their identity. For the purpose of protecting Virginians, our resources, and our right to free and fair elections, I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 1441, HB 1440, HB 1442, HB 650, HB 1260, HB 1262, HB 1265, HB 1438, HB 1482, and HB 1492 and oppose HB 1459.

Dear Virginia House of Delegates, I am writing in support of all bills in this Block 1 subcommittee (HB650; HB1260; HB1262; HB1264; HB1265; HB1438; HB1440; HB1441; HB1442; HB1453; HB1459; HB1482; and HB1492). Each bill has the same underlying principles, in my view, that undergird each one and is worthy of widespread support and consideration. 1) Greater accountability for any abuses of power - something our government is supposedly predicated upon from its foundations of checks and balances. 2) Respect of human dignity - lest we forget another person's humanity and spiral into forms of depravity experienced on widespread scale even within our lifetimes, our parents' lifetimes, or our grandparents' lifetimes, anytime dehumanization becomes the norm and public opinion becomes apathetic we ought to have sirens blaring warning signals. As a conflict prevention and response professional, I have thorough knowledge of human rights abuses at widespread scale at the hands of unchecked power -- the enslavement of Africans and brutality of the chattel slave trade and its legacy of abuses through the Jim Crow Era onward, the forced disappearances of Argentina and Chile, the Holocaust, forced kidnappings and assimilations of First Nations and Native American children at Indian Boarding Schools in Canada and the United States, and more. These bills hold that some places ought to be preserved to honor the humanity in our neighbors, even those who may be undocumented - polling places, courthouses, schools. These bills provide guardrails that Virginia needs to both maintain the humanity of all people, even those who are undocumented. It serves to safeguard the hearts and minds of those citizens and legal residents who have been continuously profiled based on their perceived or actual national origin, and provides more psychological safety for those in our communities who are being targeted from the national stage to local actors dispatched from ICE who have done nothing unlawful. These forcible, unchecked, and brute forces of strength have brought about unnecessary and widespread fear, school absences, medical inattention for fear of being targeted in public, and traumatic experiences for young children and youth. Virginia House of Delegates must provide a healthy check and balance and honor its constituents. Vote in support of these bills. Sincerely, Jena Kitchen

I support this bill and am in favor of the increased safety it will provide for our communities and for my neighbors. I support banning face coverings for federal officers, restricting immigration enforcement officers to 40 feet from polling places, and prohibiting immigration enforcement from schools, hospitals and other above mentioned safe spaces. Limits need to be placed on rogue federal agents, due process upheld and American communities protected.

Any even mildly engaged Virginian ought be alarmed at the slow civil war being carried out on the people of Minneapolis. That is why I fully support HB1264 and HB1482 as critical societal checks on the administration's unfettered military force. Additionally, I support HB650/HB1260 (aren't these the same bill?), HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, and HB1441 for creating safe places and walling off our own government and enforcement agencies from this radical influence. Lastly, steps taken in HB1442 could become extremely important to protecting our democracy as the administration would spiritually invert the Second and Third Enforcement Acts, using the same federal authority that stopped the KKK from harassing black voters in 1870 to instead perform the same kind of intimidation on brown voters in 2026. I oppose HB1459's mandate of cooperation with ICE to snatch untried people out of custody, circumvent the consequences of convicted people by our own justice system, or enact additional punitive measures post incarceration. There is additional alarming language that might imply "going after the families". If state and local PD have a case where they want to cooperate, they already can do so. This bill removes that choice and puts it into a provably untrustworthy institution. I generally support HB1262 and HB1492 for cracking down on bad actors that would take advantage of these troubling times. However, I question the necessity of HB1492: while the long imagined scenario is extremely troubling, we have already seen what evils actual ICE officers are capable of, and how low the bar for entry is. Would this actually help? I mislike HB1453, which goes against our rights as American citizens and good Samaritans to non-violently oppose the actions of federal terrorists.

My name is Yonah Walter. I am a resident of District 10. I am writing in support of bills which enhance public trust in our law enforcement and respect civil rights in our communities. I am a volunteer with the Virginia chapter of Jews United for Justice, but I speak as the great-grandson of immigrants who came as chain migrants with the help of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS), and as someone inculcated with strong Jewish values including a bedrock principle of respect for all. The American promise of "liberty and justice for all" was a strong call for my family, but to now hear our government speak so coldly about immigrants - let alone to see how our government has mistreated those they even suspect of being immigrants - has disappointed me greatly. The shooting deaths by ICE of nearly a dozen Americans in just the last few months, and the immoral and self-serving rush by the government to blame the victims in those shootings, demands we act to curb these abuses and keep our government in check. We need accountability from government agents, which includes the right to know who purports to represent us and act on our behalf in law enforcement. We need to protect access to public spaces like courthouses and (perhaps especially) polling places. We need to vigorously protect the right of people to move freely without fear of harassment or assault by law enforcement. We need to restore trust in our government. I respectfully urge this committee to support the following: HB650 HB1260 HB1262 HB1264 HB1265 HB1438 HB1440 HB1441 HB1442 HB1482 HB1492

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills protect sensitive spaces such as courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places, and hospitals from intimidation by federal immigration enforcement. They strengthen public trust and improve accountability by restricting law enforcement officers from obscuring their identities. I oppose HB1459, which would force state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would seriously damage public trust in local law enforcement.

My name is Paula Roney. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB650, HB1260, HB 1262, HB 1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This would strengthen public trust and improve accountability. As a long time Virginia public school educator, a grandchild of immigrants who came to this country to escape persecution, and a member of Jews United for Justice, I know the importance of welcoming immigrants to our country. I’ve worked with many students who came to the United States, often on their own, to escape harrowing circumstances. It is vital that they, and all other people are able to attend school, receive medical treatment and be able to access the legal system without fear. Therefore it is critical that our Commonwealth protects access to these vital community services. I respectfully urge this committee to support these bills. Thank you.

My name is Susan Kohn. I am a resident of District 15. I am submitting this testimony in support of HB 650,1260, 1262,1264,1265,1438,1440,1441,1453,1492 and in opposition of HB 1459 and 1482. As a pediatrician I am horrified to see my immigrant patients and their families living in fear. I work with children through a non-profit organization that helps to provide access to medical and dental care in Fairfax County. We see hardworking families who are afraid to access health care or even to send their children to school. They worry when someone leaves the house. Will they come back from work, the grocery store, court or school- or be taken by ICE? How can they continue to provide for their children? The children and teens I see were brought to the United States for a better life. Many experienced violence, political upheaval and uncertainty or severe poverty in their countries of origin, which led their parents to seek a place of safety, where they could thrive. My grandparents came to this country in the face of pogroms that terrorized our families in Eastern Europe. They worked hard, as our current immigrants do, to make a future for their children. Our Jewish sacred texts obligate us to care for the stranger and treat all with respect and kindness. They are part of the fabric of a great society. Our neighbors must be able to testify in court if they have been victimized or if they have requested asylum, without the fear of being deported when they show up. All Virginians, whether they are citizens or not, must have the right to access schools, hospitals, places of worship and polling places without fear of intimidation or deportation. All must be able to clearly see the identity of law enforcement personnel and have their day in court with proper representation if accused. Local police should be doing the work of maintaining safety for all residents- not helping ICE deport people without due process. As a Virginian I believe we have a duty to protect those who are most vulnerable in our community. At this time it is our immigrant neighbors who need our help. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265,1438, 1440, 1441,1442, 1453,1492 and oppose HB1459 and HB1482.

My comment refers to all bills on the agenda. The Commonwealth of Virginia must take any and all legal action to prevent ICE from terrorizing any Virginia individual or community. This includes all people who come to this country seeking a better life for themselves and their families, just as the many millions before them have done throughout America’s history.

I am a resident of Virginia House of Delegates District One (Del. Hope). I am submitting this testimony in support of House Bills proposing to de-link Virginia Schools, courthouses, protected areas and polling places from being places of enforcement of federal immigration laws by federal agents. Specifically, HB#1260 (no immigration enforcement in schools), HB-1265 (courthouses), HB-1438 (287g agreements prohibited), HB-1440 (protected areas-hospitals, schools, etc), HB-1441 (law enforcement cooperation only with a valid judicial warrant) and HB-1442 (polling places) My family includes two members born overseas, one came as a political refugee. We are longtime members of Temple Rodef Shalom and we work or volunteer in the service of the immigrant community and basic human rights, including in the legal profession. These bills will protect privacy and basic human rights of immigrants, creating safe spaces so they may continue to dwell in peace in our communities. Public safety is improved if immigrants are not loath to report crimes or to show up for their own legal or immigration required appointments without fear of immediate detention without due legal process, or have their children attend school and continue to advance peacefully in our commonwealth. We have seen in Latin America, Africa and other regions the devastation which governments can cause against their citizens, where the USA has been a beacon of hope. And we have seen the benefit when we welcome immigrants to participate fully in business and communities in our country and state: economic benefits which under the current environment are depressed, as many residents miss work and school and doctor appointments due to widespread dragnet approach to immigration by the federal government. I respectfully urge this committee to support the HBs listed above. Thank you.

We want public safety, not public abductions and executions. We have learned that ICE does not respect rule of law or human rights, so support these bills to keep Virginians safe. Every child deserves an education. Every child deserves to be safe at school. Every sick or injured person deserves medical care. So keep ICE out of our school, hospitals, and courthouses. No judicial warrant should mean no entry- and limit what civil arrests can take place in courthouses. We want police to protect, not persecute. So eliminate 287g agreements in Virginia. Allow our local law enforcement to do their job of keeping communities safe, instead of doing ICE's dirty work for them. We want rule of law, not rule by masked mobs. Do not allow law enforcement to cover their faces. That's not community policing- that's KKK tactics. We want free and fair elections, not a return to Jim Crow era intimidation at the polls. Citizens are not safe from ICE, either. Do not allow the federal government to use "immigration enforcement" as a rouse to silence eligible voters through fear and profiling. Support: HB650 - Callsen HB1260 - Shin HB1262 - Glass HB1264 - Shin HB1265 - Glass HB1438 - Guzman HB1440 - Lopez HB1441 - Lopez HB1442 - Lopez HB1453 - Williams HB1459 - Zehr HB1482 - Schmidt HB1492 - Shin

I’m very concerned with the overreaching of ICE. They have terrorized communities, broken apart families, disrupted children’s education, wrongfully detained people and even murdered American citizens. Please keep all safeguards in place to protect our citizens. Warrants should be in place before they come after people. ICE agents should follow the same laws and training that police officers are required to. ICE should not be allowed to wait outside or enter courthouses. They should not be wearing masks. This is leading to more dangerous escalations as we have seen in Minneapolis. Please vote to protect the rights of our people, maintain a safe community, and honor the laws and Constitution of our once great country. Please listen to your constituents. We are a country of immigrants and we are all humans. Do what is right.

As a long time resident of Virginia, I have watched the horrific attack on our immigrant population by our federal government. I write to encourage support of these bills to provide additional state protections to our local immigrant communities. It is the moral thing to do. Thank you. Stephanie Elms Alexandria VA

I strongly support every bill that limits federal immigration enforcement overreach. Virginia Majority stands in solidarity with immigrant communities across Virginia. We believe that all people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights. I support policies that limit federal immigration enforcement overreach, protect access to courts and essential services, and prevent local resources from being used to separate families and criminalize our neighbors. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries on immigration enforcement activities in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining the trust between local officials and the communities they serve. These policies have my support and are measures that would affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

SUPPORT: HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, HB1492. OPPOSE: HB1459 Our communities deserve protection from the overreach of the federal government. At a minimum, this means putting strong boundaries on the activity of federal immigration officers and requiring them to follow existing laws and those that are enacted by this general assembly. We need to protect sensitive spaces like schools, courtrooms, places of worship, hospitals and polling places from ICE/CBP intimidation. All officers - including local law enforcement - should be prohibited from wearing masks or face coverings and ID should be required. In addition, local law enforcement should be prohibited from entering agreements with federal immigration officers and judicial warrants for enforcement should be required. Currently our communities are less safe. We need to stop the unchecked abusive activity by ICE/CBP.

I am Kade Keller from Richmond, VA. I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492. These policies affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries for immigration enforcement in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining trust between local officials and the communities they serve. All people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights.

This is an opportunity for the Commonwealth to respect and protect the riaghts of ALL Virginia citizens. I strongly I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482.

My name is Rachel Waldstein. I am a resident of District #1. I am submitting this testimony in support of the following bills: • HB 650 Callsen Courthouses • HB 1260 Shin Public elementary/secondary schools, etc; federal immigration investigation and enforcement activities • HB 1262 Glass Va Consumer Protection Act • HB 1264 Shin Virginia Accountability Commission • HB 1265 Glass Courthouses • HB 1438 Guzman 287g • HB 1440 Lopez Protected Areas • HB 1441 Lopez 287g • HB 1442 Lopez Polling Place Protections • HB 1482 Schmidt facemasks • HB 1492 Shin Impersonating federal law enforcement officer I oppose the following bills: • HB 1453 Williams Approaching a first responder with specified intent after a warning; penalty • HB 1459 Zehr Ice-Free Communities Act; notification to federal immigration authorities of pending release of certain prisoners from custody I am a member of Congregation Etz Hayim in Arlington and spent a large part of my career representing the U.S. government in the protection of human rights around the world. I support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 based on my Jewish values and my life’s work. Jewish tradition and law recognize the equality and dignity of all people and respect their right to life, bodily integrity, health, housing, education, and due process. The Jewish people have been refugees many times in the past and have often experienced mistreatment by authoritarian governments. It is thus my duty to stand in support of marginalized communities and against government abuses. Law enforcement authorities should not deprive anyone--even those in this country illegally--of life, liberty, or property without following established legal procedures that respect their rights. Since the Federal government has abdicated its responsibilities before the law and Constitution, it is up to the States to uphold national and international human rights law. Passing the above listed bills will make our communities to be safer and will give Commonwealth officials a legal basis to push back on Federal law enforcement officials who break the law. I strongly believe HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 will improve the lives of all Virginians by allowing us to return our focus to strengthening our economy, education and healthcare systems, and by returning a sense of humanity to our Commonwealth. I oppose HB 1453 and 1459, which I believe will create more fear in our communities and impede Virginians’ ability to express their First Amendment rights. I respectfully urge this committee to support HB 650, 1260, 1262, 1264, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492 and to oppose HB 1453 and 1459.

I strongly support the following bills and urge the committee members to pass them on so they can make their way to the House in order to be discussed by all the Delegates: HB1492, HB1482, HB1453, HB1442, HB1441, HB1440, HB1438, HB1265, HB1264, HB1262, HB1260, and HB650. These bills provide much needed limits on ICE agents, and life-saving protections for tens of thousands of people in our commonwealth. Please do the right thing and keep these bills alive and moving through our legislative system.

Support HB 650 1260 1262 1264 1265 1438 1440 1441 1442 1482

I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, 1482, and 1492. These policies affirm Virginia’s commitment to being a place where all residents can participate fully in civic life without fear. Virginia must lead in protecting immigrant rights by establishing clear boundaries for immigration enforcement in our communities, ensuring safe access to schools, healthcare, courthouses, and other essential spaces, and maintaining trust between local officials and the communities they serve. We must stand united to protect our immigrant communities from the threats coming from our federal government, as we do with the many other threats and challenges we face from the Trump Administration. All people, regardless of race, class, or immigration status, deserve to live with dignity, safety, and access to fundamental rights.

I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

My name is Margaret Power. I have been a voting resident of District 6 for 37 years. I am submitting this testimony in support of most of the bills pending for your action today. I am the great-granddaughter of immigrants escaping poverty, famine, and persecution in their native land and striving to afford the ‘chain migration’ that re-united them with their families. I am the great-niece of German Jews who were denied entry and were murdered in Hitler’s camps. I am the daughter-in-law of an American Jewish woman, who, as a 13-year-old, escaped Poland and crossed a remote stretch of our northern border without documents during the Hitler years when America turned away refugees. I am the grandmother of two talented, bi-lingual and totally adorable Americans who are nearly as brown as their naturalized father, a Colombian-born doctor. I fear their own government will harm them. Or kill them. Truly- I cannot believe that a time has come in which it is not insane for me to have such fears. I belong to Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls church, where, in collaboration with other faith communities, we have long organized sustained support and services for new refugees, predominantly Afghan friends of the US. As Chairman Simon knows, our community actively advocates for inclusive and just public policy here in Richmond and in the nation’s capital. I respectfully urge you to send these bills forward and to advocate for their passage; collectively, they protect Virginians from violent abuses of federal power, they ensure that some of our essential public services- schools, hospitals and the courts- can be accessed by all; they preserve the sovereignty of the Commonwealth with respect to our law enforcement roles, while assuring federal-state-local collaboration with respect to removing criminals from our midst. As a package, they reinforce the rule of law, including protection of our constitutional rights; they reduce the likelihood of violence in our public spaces; they offer our neighbors - and my grandchildren- better protection by requiring federal immigration agents follow the same transparency standards as state and local law enforcement, and they restore some measure of confidence that we citizens are also unlikely to be kidnapped, injured or murdered so long as we are Virginians. I oppose passage of HB 1453, as it limits our right to free expression, and I also oppose HB1459, which is unnecessary because the Governor’s executive order allows federal-state cooperation with respect to convicted criminals, and, if read to add instances in which individuals can be delivered to DHS, would breach the boundaries established by HB 650 which I strongly support. I respectfully urge this subcommittee to support HB#650, HB#1260,HB#1262,HB#1264,HB#1265, HB#1438, B1440,HB1441,HB1442,HB1482, AND HB1492

I support all these bills which, to my reading of them, extend protections of the law to people attending court appointments so that they cannot be detained by immigration enforcement authorities (or people impersonating immigration enforcement authorities). I support requiring law enforcement officials to not wear masks and to have visible identification, and also not to engage in immigration enforcement activities. I also support bills which protect schools, churches, and private workplaces from immigration enforcement activities, and require judicial warrants (warrants signed by a judge) for any immigration enforcement operation. I would like to see bills requiring due process for any persons detained, including but not limited to access to a lawyer, ability to make phone calls, and right to be treated with dignity and humanity.

I fully support every bill that safeguards and protects our immigrant neighbors from the lawless, cruel, immoral and shameful acts committed by federal agents and DHS.

My name is Cindy Denton-Ade . I am a resident of Burke, District 10 . I am submitting testimony in support of bills HB 650, 1260 ,1262 ,1264, 1265,1438,1440,1441,1442,1448,1482,1492. I am a member of Temple B’nai Shalom. All of my Grandparents were immigrants from other counties: the Ukraine, Belarus. If not for the welcoming policies of the United States when they immigrated, they would have been surely been all killed in the Holocaust. My very lovely handyman, who comes from Columbia and is a citizen, was fearful about driving to D.C. Because he felt he would be targeted by ICE. This is not right! Jewish values promote welcoming and protecting the stranger. These bills will go a long way to do just. Virginia, my chosen home, has taken many positive actions since Governor Spanberger has taken office. Let these bills be an addition to actions we can be proud of in protecting immigrants men, women, and children.

HB 650 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1260 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1264 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law by attempting to intimidate federal law enforcement officers. OPPOSE. HB 1265 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement of federal law. OPPOSE HB 1438 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1440 Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1441 Creates division between federal, state, and local law enforcement. Blatantly covers for illegals. OPPOSE HB 1442 If Illegals aren’t supposed to vote, why would this bill be needed? OPPOSE HB 1482 Clearly seeks to obstruct enforcement law enforcement by intimidating them. In some instances, their identity needs to be protected to prevent retribution. OPPOSE HB 1492 This is already a violation of federal law and is unnecessary. See 18 USC SS 912 and SS 913. OPPOSE

Hello, My name is Tyneshia Griffin and I am constituent in Kimberly Pope Adams's District 82. I am in strong support of HB1492, HB482, HB1441, HB1440, HB1438, HB1265, and HB650. These bills are urgently needed to protect immigrant communities and all communities in the state from racially motivated, state-sanctioned, community-based violence being executed by federal agents, local law enforcement affiliating with federal agencies, and citizens who may be motivated to violently target immigrants in the Commonwealth to also stoke fear, shame, panic, and harm on their of their own volition. In my area, ICE has invaded public spaces, kidnapping folks from bus stations for example, making it less safe for members of my community, including myself access transportation, feel safe to move about in our community, and safe free detainment and incarceration. I do not depend on transit solely, but when I need it, it is incredibly helpful for helping me get around the area safely and cheaply. Seniors with no transportation support, folks getting to and from work, students going to school, and folks looking for temporary shelter deserve access to safe public transit, streets, schools, faith centers, workplaces, courthouse, neighborhoods - throughout their entire community. My neighbors and I deserve to be treated with dignity and protected from community-violence and detainment in inhumane jails/camps and these bills provide for that and a failure to pass them fails to complete these responsibilities by leaders and the state. Protect Virginians, protect immigrant communities now.

My name is Karen Menichelli, and I have resided in Arlington, VA, for over 40 years, currently living in House District 1. I have cherished the diverse and welcoming nature of my community and feel enriched by the many immigrants from around the world who have decided to make their lives here. I am worried for my neighbors given the unnecessarily reckless and cruel practices of our federal immigration officers exhibited in cities like Portland, OR, and Minneapolis, WI. I don’t want those behaviors, which sow mistrust and waste resources, brought to Virginia. I want to protect the humanity, dignity, and safety of our immigrant neighbors and allow free access to important community services without fear of harassment or harm from federal agents. Therefore, I strongly support the above indicated cluster of bills under consideration by the Public Safety Subcommittee and urge the subcommittee to champion these bills and send strong versions to the full House for a vote.

My name is Ricki Henschel. I am a resident of District 3. I am submitting this testimony on behalf of Jews United for Justice in support of all of the following bills: HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. JUFJ organizes Jewish Virginians and allies in support of local campaigns for social, racial, and economic justice. Judaism teaches that we are all made in the image of God. The Bible is clear that we are to welcome the stranger, as this is mentioned more times than any other obligation in the Bible. The assault on and kidnapping of individuals by ICE, pulled from their cars, their homes, their places of work, as if they were violent criminals, is directly in opposition of Jewish values, and should not be happening in our state. . The vast majority of those arrested are not individuals who have committed any crime, and many are in the process of obtaining legal status. We also know that citizens are also being taken because they fit the profile. The ICE raids and deportation machine are harming people indiscriminately: Parents, children, and students are being swept up as they attend routine immigration check-ins and court hearings, go to work, and run their errands. In my community, children are scared to go to school, and parents are concerned about taking their children to school, including those who with legal status, as the reality is that ICE is sweeping up individuals based on skin color and accents. Asking for papers and documentation and creating a reality where people feel they have to always have their papers on them everywhere they go, is reminiscent of every society that has been overtaken by autocracy. In addition, as an individual who has experienced sexual violence, it is no surprise that many in our community are afraid to go to our courts or access services. Everyone should be able to live with safety and dignity – including going to court without fear. Enabling law enforcement to be masked adds to the trauma being created. In addition, state and local police need to be seen as those protecting our communities, not as part of the federal work of ICE. And most recently, the threat of having ICE at polling places has been introduced. This must not be allowed in Virginia. Many citizens fit ICE’s profile, and they will be harassed and maybe too frightened to go to the polls. This can not be allowed. I respectfully urge this committee to support each of these bills that control the methods and manner in which ICE operates within our borders–HB 650, HB1260, HB1262, HB1264, HB1265, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, HB1482, and HB1492. We have the right to require them to follow our laws and the US Constitution. We must welcome the stranger.

I am a resident of Reston, VA. I am a US Army veteran and Federal retiree with almost 30 years of service to the US. My father’s side of my family immigrated to this country from England sometime in the 1630s. My mother’s side of the family immigrated from Scotland in the late 1750s. To the best of my knowledge, they were undocumented. I believe strongly that I have a right to stay in this country. I have met, heard about, read about, and studied people who have been here longer than my family, and some who have come very recently. If we examine the accomplishments and potential of these folks who arrived before or after my family, none are less deserving of a right to be here. As you study our history and our culture, one realizes that the contributions of immigrants are what makes this country so unique and wonderful. It isn’t how big our Army is, it’s the fact that you can find a taco truck, an Ethiopian restaurant, pottery from Poland, and fashion from France on the same block. It’s in the fact that nearly 100 languages are spoken as mother tongues in Fairfax County Schools. It’s in knowing that this country was built on the backs of African slaves and immigrants from every continent in the world, and the cultures of those immigrants have mixed into the most wonderful stew that we are allowed to enjoy every day. Now, let’s get real. Undocumented people can’t vote, aren’t eligible for benefits, and pay taxes into our system. They work very hard for low wages. Immigrants, much less those who are undocumented, commit crimes at SIGNIFICANTLY lower rates than white men. In short, immigrants are a net gain for our society. The images and stories we are seeing regarding ICE and CBP untrained, unprofessional paramilitary wreaking havoc in Minneapolis is like watching footage from another country. I keep asking myself how we got here, while unfortunately, people of color are saying it has been this way all along. Given that we weren’t aware of the total number of people ICE and CBP killed until they murdered two white people, I am concluding they must be correct. In 2025/26, 40 people have died at the hands of ICE. That is 40 too many. I am in favor of any legislation that hinders the ability of ICE to murder more people regardless of race, color, gender, age, national origin, religion, sexual preference, genetic information, immigration status, or whether or not they are exercising their 1st, 2nd, 4th, or 14th Amendment rights. I am in favor of any legislation that allows immigrants a path to citizenship. While a small minority of people may disagree with me, this is NOT a white nation, and I am against any legislation that tries to turn it into one — even if it is couched in pretty language like “protecting our ‘heritage,’ or ‘our women.’” Please pass any legislation that treats our immigrant population in accordance with human rights, human dignity, civic sense, and common decency. Thank you.

(This plea concerns all House and Senate bills that would provide greater protections for our immigrant population and stop government overreach by DHS and ICE.) Letter of Support for Policies Protecting Immigrants Dear Governor Spanberger, Virginia Delegates, and Virginia Senators, As a citizen who sees all humans as treasured and worthy of respect, I ask you, Governor Spanberger and all Virginia delegates and senators, to support all ICE OUT bills, specifically the following bills to benefit the lives of all citizens and provide specific protections for our immigrant community: HB 660 | HB 836 | HB 911 | HB 1161 | HB 1260 | HB 1265 | HB 1438 | HB 1440 | HB 1441 | HB 1442 | HB 1482 | HB 1492 SB 351 | SB 352 | SB 446 | SB 783 | What each of us has witnessed in California, Washington State, Chicago, North Carolina, and Minneapolis to include traumatization of targeted people and onlookers, great injury, and execution style killings must not become business as usual in Virginia. Please regard the humanity in each person across our Commonwealth and support the passage of these bills. Thank you, Mary Lib Morgan 12401 Dutton Road | Apt 2409 | Midlothian, VA 23113 (804) 928-2057

I am writing in strong support of each of the indicated bills that aim to protect immigrants, and those perceived as immigrants, from the threat and violence perpetuated by ICE. As a Social Worker that works across the Central Virginia region, I have seen my neighbors and clients directly harmed by ICE. Families have been torn apart, resulting in physical, psychological, and financial harm. Furthermore, the threat of ICE has prevented communities I care about from safely accessing healthcare, basic needs, public spaces, and even school. These policies would take an important step to protect the rights and livelihoods of all Virginians, and they would affirm our commonwealth's commitment to ensuring its residents have safe and fair access to participating in civic life.

As a longtime Virginia resident and a person of faith, I am alarmed by ICE's and the DHS's recent gross misconduct, including murdering U.S. citizen. Therefore: I support HB650, HB1260, HB1438, HB1440, HB1441, HB1442, and HB1482. These bills would protect sensitive spaces like courtrooms, schools, places of worship, polling places and hospitals from the intimidation of federal immigration law enforcement officers. This strengthens public trust and improves accountability by restricting the use of facial coverings to obscure identity of members of law enforcement. I oppose HB1459, which forces state and local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE. This would damage public trust in state and local law enforcement.

I support any bill that abolishes ICE. We need to go back to a civilized nation. At the moment we are not one. Killing innocent Americans for demonstrating their first amendment rights. We need to stop rounding up people for the color of their skin. This is not a Wild West rodeo. Our government has violated numerous constitutional laws by not doing lawful procedures. We promised after the concentration camps where Japanese citizens were detained that America would not do that again. Again America has broken its promise to its citizens. They are removing people who are not criminals and people seeking a better life. Some as they appear for court hearings that they needed to do to become citizens. Let’s go back to a civilized country and start respecting both law and order and stop quotas on human beings. You are helping Americans and the world lose any respect left for America and its government. The three murders that gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti had YEARS on the CBP or ICE before those killings. It was like watching a firing squad executing people for no reason. Just being around people that were trigger happy and had no training from years ago. I have watched children have guns held up to their faces. CHILDREN. You are taught to never draw your weapon as a fear tactic or a control technique. It’s common knowledge. Let’s make real immigration laws that help people become American. These immigrants pay more into our treasury than Trump did for three years only paying $750 each year. Or Amazon that paid no taxes. The immigrants contribute to our country and economy unlike billionaires and corporations. Actually we have subsidized Elon more than any taxes he has paid. He has caused more harm to America and Americans safety than any immigrant. Stop this funding of this illegal under trained private police that is not protecting Americans but killing them. I question how anyone who supports this can even say they are Christian. From the brutality of humans in detention, lack of medical care, food that I would only put in my compost bin, to breaking up families, the abuse and murder I have seen and the rounding up by skin color. You do know Jesus was a dark skin Palestinian don’t you? So guess he would be rounded up if he was around today. I have never been so ashamed to be an American and I’m 72 years old. But I know it wasn’t me that made the decisions it was you. That gives me some peace. Find your soul, remember again why we were given the statue of liberty or let’s donate it to a country worthy of that beacon of light. We are distinguishing its significance. I hope you also were able to see the monks marching for peace. They are true humans with love and kindness to all. I am grateful to see so many people touched by them and their journey. In solidarity, Cindy Johnston

Please vote in favor of protecting our immigrants from ICE harm!

I am a long time citizen of Henrico and I am horrified at what is happening with ICE and border patrol in my country now. I hardly recognize this country or the Republican party any more. I am asking all of my reps to do whatever you can to defund ICE and to make them take their masks off, to get much better training and to have signed warrants whenever they are looking for specific people. Finally they should not be allowed to go in schools or houses of worship. Thankyou.

I SUPPORT all bills EXCEPT HB1459 I OPPOSE HB1459

Bills: HB1265 (Glass) and HB650 (Callsen) Position: SUPPORT Courthouses must function as neutral, accessible spaces where individuals can participate in legal proceedings without fear of unrelated civil enforcement actions. HB1265 and HB650 are essential to preserving access to justice and due process in the Commonwealth by prohibiting civil arrests in courthouses and establishing enforceable protections. Legal and empirical research demonstrates that the threat of civil arrest—particularly immigration enforcement—in or around courthouses has a documented chilling effect on court participation. Individuals who fear arrest are less likely to appear for hearings, serve as witnesses, comply with court orders, or seek protective relief, undermining both due process and judicial efficiency (Eagly, 2019; Kohli et al., 2011). In Virginia, these impacts are especially acute in General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts, where survivors seek protective orders, parents appear in custody matters, and tenants and workers pursue basic legal remedies. When individuals avoid court out of fear, cases are delayed or dismissed, warrants may issue for failure to appear, and victims and witnesses are effectively silenced. This does not enhance public safety—it weakens it. Virginia’s court system depends on voluntary participation to function effectively. Research shows that enforcement activity in civic spaces erodes trust in legal institutions and reduces cooperation with courts and law enforcement, particularly in immigrant communities (Eagly, 2019). This erosion directly conflicts with the Commonwealth’s interest in efficient case resolution and community safety. Importantly, prohibiting civil arrests in courthouses does not prevent lawful enforcement elsewhere. Instead, it draws a clear boundary that protects the integrity of court proceedings. Jurisdictions that separate civil enforcement from courthouse activity report improved court appearance rates and increased willingness of victims and witnesses to engage with the justice system (Kohli et al., 2011). HB1265 and HB650 reinforce courthouse neutrality, strengthen due process, and support public safety by ensuring that access to justice is not conditioned on a person’s immigration status or vulnerability to civil enforcement. I respectfully urge the committee to report both bills favorably and protect our neighbors here in Virginia. Eagly, I. V. (2019). Immigration enforcement and access to justice. UCLA Law Review, 66, 100–170. Kohli, A., Markowitz, P. L., & Chavez, L. (2011). Secure Communities by the numbers: An analysis of demographics and due process. Chief Justice Earl Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy.

The Justice and Witness Action Network – Virginia of the United Church of Christ supports HB1265. As people of faith, we are deeply disturbed by the abuse of basic human rights and the constitutional violations being perpetrated in our communities by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. ICE is terrorizing our immigrant population, the vast majority of whom are NOT criminals. The way arrests are being carried out creates an atmosphere of distrust between residents and local law enforcement officials. Targeting of individuals at courthouses is especially egregious, because if immigrants fear that showing up in court may result in detention and possible deportation, our justice system itself becomes compromised. People are afraid to show up for routine legal hearings. Victims are afraid to report crimes, witnesses won’t show up to testify – leading to further erosion of public safety and creation of a climate of fear that destabilizes our entire community. Our courthouses should be safe spaces that are off limits to ICE. We urge you to vote yes on HB1265 to protect everyone’s access to Virginia’s judicial system.

I strongly support all the proposed legislation for protecting my neighbors and community, providing civil causes of action, placing a 9/1/26 termination date on existing local ICE agreements. We should not be using our tax dollars and other resources to assist a law-breaking federal government that is pardoning drug traffickers, killing and detaining legal residents and citizens, and promising protection for its agents who violate our Constitutional rights. Thank you.

I write in support of House Bills 1260, 1265, 1438, 1440, 1441, 1442, and 1482. In combination, these bills form a framework to protect civil liberties, reinforce the integrity of public institutions, and clearly define the appropriate scope of law enforcement authority in Virginia. These bills ensure that schools, courthouses, polling places, and other civic spaces remain accessible and safe; that individuals can participate in education, the justice system, and elections without fear or intimidation; and that enforcement actions are transparent, accountable, and grounded in judicial authorization. Collectively, they strengthen public trust by drawing clear boundaries between state and federal roles, prioritizing due process, and strengthening public safety by upholding constitutional rights.

The Virginia State Conference supports HB 650 HB 221 HB 1265

I oppose this bill HB1314. No one is above the law no matter who they are or what their position is in the state.

Please vote YES on this bill. Our membership ask this! Qualified immunity, which this bill effectively addresses in a timid way, was born out of desire of a US Supreme Ct of originalists to protect the police from unfair prosecution. It appears no place in the U.S. Constitution nor in Virginia's and so over and over again, we have seen rogue police officers acting unlawfully secure in the knowledge that they can hide their unfair and illegal deeds from effective legal remedy. Police officers acting well and with the best interests of the public under color of law, and so have no need to fear lawsuits which they are already covered for by current law. Currently, police are held up higher in importance than regular citizens, and this is not right in a democratic republic. They tell those of us who are citizens that if we do nothing wrong, we have nothing to fear from cops. Well, turnabout is fair play. Many of our members around the U.S. have suffered from police abuse, both in person and online. The arrogant nature of police, the insistence that we cannot film them from a distance, that we cann ot question them, but they can us with impunity, are just some of the minor items police abuse. We have seen repeatedly that when cops have little scrutiny, they abuse their authority. The civilian oversight boards have become toothless tigers, and police acting online in social media sites continue to abuse Va Code 18.2-374.3 computer solicitation to attack adults acting lawfully online in order to craft a crime around them. They continue to do with no effective review by this body, and no appetite to protect citizens because other benefits acrue by not doing so. PLease VOTE YES on this bill.

Please oppose this bill.

I am a sworn law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth of Virginia with nearly eighteen years of service and extensive experience in criminal investigations and public safety operations. I respectfully submit this testimony in opposition to House Bill 1314 because, if enacted, it would have a significant and detrimental impact on law enforcement officers, agency leadership, and public safety across Virginia, and would force myself and many other experienced officers to seriously consider leaving the profession. As written, HB 1314 would effectively nullify the doctrine of qualified immunity for Virginia law enforcement officers by exposing officers and their supervisors to expansive civil liability for actions taken in the course of their official duties, even when those actions are consistent with training, policy, and clearly established law at the time. Qualified immunity is not, and has never been, a shield for misconduct. It is a narrowly tailored doctrine that protects officers from personal civil liability when they act in good faith and within established constitutional standards while performing inherently dangerous duties that often require split-second decision-making. Current Virginia and federal law already provide robust mechanisms for accountability. Law enforcement officers may be criminally charged, civilly sued, disciplined, decertified, or terminated when they violate constitutional rights, statutory law, or professional standards. Qualified immunity does not prevent lawsuits from being filed; it only limits personal liability where no clearly established law has been violated. Courts routinely deny qualified immunity when officers exceed lawful authority. The existing framework appropriately balances accountability with the realities of modern policing. HB 1314 disrupts that balance by dramatically expanding personal and supervisory liability without clear standards or procedural safeguards. Supervisors who were not present or directly involved could face liability based on hindsight rather than the facts reasonably known at the time. This creates a chilling effect on supervision, mentorship, and training, as leaders are incentivized to limit exposure rather than actively develop officers. The bill also raises serious concerns regarding indemnification and will increase insurance costs, litigation expenses, and financial strain on already resource-limited localities. This legislation encourages defensive policing, hesitation during critical incidents, and reluctance to take lawful enforcement action. At a time when Virginia agencies face severe recruitment and retention challenges, HB 1314 will accelerate the departure of experienced officers like myself and discourage qualified applicants from entering the profession, particularly in rural and high-need communities. Finally, HB 1304 risks undermining constitutional policing by replacing clearly established legal standards with after-the-fact civil litigation. Public trust is best preserved through clear laws, consistent training, and fair accountability—not by exposing officers to unpredictable personal liability for good-faith actions. For these reasons, I respectfully urge this committee to oppose House Bill 1314 and preserve the current qualified immunity framework, which already ensures accountability while allowing law enforcement to effectively serve and protect the citizens of the Commonwealth.