Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) signed into law a pair of bills that strengthen hate crime laws, building on efforts to curb antisemitism in Virginia.
The legislation expands state statutes for hate crimes to include crimes committed against people because of their ethnic origin. Youngkin signed SB7 and HB18 into law on Tuesday and said they would protect people who are Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh, among other groups, from hate crimes.
“From day one, we have made combating antisemitism and religious bigotry a top priority. As one of my first executive orders, I formed the Commission to Combat Antisemitism, which issued a recommendation that Virginia revise its laws to ensure Jewish Virginians are protected from hate crimes, along with Muslims, Sikhs, and other ethnic and religious groups,” Youngkin said in a statement.
“As the first state to weave religious
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