# Virginia SB624: Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia," penalty.

Virginia SB624, Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia," penalty., is a 2026 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2026-02-02 (Senate committee offered) (as of 2026-10-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB624-2026
- As of: 2026-10-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SB624
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2026 Regular Session
- Title: Assault and battery; definition of "Islamophobia," penalty.
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-14
- Last action: 2026-02-02, Senate committee offered
- Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Courts of Justice
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 1 (15 yes, 0 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

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

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Saddam Azlan Salim (Democratic), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2026-02-02 | Senate | Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice | pass | 15 | 0 |   |

## Actions (5)

- 2026-02-02: Senate committee offered (Senate)
- 2026-02-02: Continued to 2027 in Courts of Justice (15-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2026-01-20: Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/20/2026 4:32 pm) (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (Senate)
- 2026-01-14: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104940D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Substitute, 2026-02-02: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105678.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105677.PDF)
- Introduced, 2026-01-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091519.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091518.PDF)

## Related bills

- HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties. (signed)
- HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with rental agreement. (signed)
- HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for certain individuals. (signed)
- HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, termination by landlord. (signed)
- HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil penalty. (signed)

## Sources
- [Substitute (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105678.HTML)
- [Substitute (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1105677.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091519.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1091518.PDF)

## Related
- [HB5: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB5-2026)
- [SB199: Employment; paid sick leave, civil penalties.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB199-2026)
- [HB95: Va. Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; landlord remedies, noncompliance with…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB95-2026)
- [HB1393: Electric utilities; pilot program for energy assistance and weatherization for…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1393-2026)
- [HB834: Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act; fire or casualty damage, terminat…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB834-2026)
- [HB675: Protection of employees; coercion or threat based on immigration status, civil…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB675-2026)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB624-2026 (as of 2026-10-11).