Access to a safe, legal abortion was one of the top 3 issues of importance to Asian American voters. Reproductive access is critical to maintaining autonomy over one’s body, health, and life.
2024 VIRGINIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Policy Agenda
Abortion Access
SUPPORT
Education Equity
Education is one the top 3 issues of importance to Asian American voters. Virginia’s constitution guarantees residents the right to a high-quality public education, which is critical to a vital community and a strong workforce. Yet, many students, including Asian American Virginians, are barred from opportunities to access this education, effectively participate, or improve their academic experience.
SUPPORT
SB 127 / HB 181
Improves quality of care in schools by increasing the number of full-time counselors per number of students at K-12 public schools.
The Senate version of this bill (SB 127) also increases the number of mental health support staff (social workers, psychologists, nurses, licensed behavioral health analysts, and other licensed health and behavioral positions) per number of students at K-12 public schools.
Full text: SB 127 (Sen. VanValkenburg) / HB 181 (Del. Feggans)
Health Access
Access to affordable healthcare is consistently identified as one of the top 3 issues of importance to Asian American voters in Virginia. Although federal, state, and local coverage options and programs exist, access to health coverage and vital care services are not guaranteed for all Virginians.
SUPPORT
HB 970 / SB 231
Cover All Kids – Provides uninsured, undocumented youth (< 19 years old) in Virginia with state-funded health care coverage through Medicaid / DMAS. Provides free translation and interpretation services to make program information accessible to those with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. Ensures personal information remains confidential.
Establishes group of consisting of individuals with lived experience being undocumented and uninsured, and individuals with experience doing outreach to aforementioned populations, to do marketing and outreach for the program.
Language Access
Asian languages make up the 5 top languages most commonly spoken in Virginia after English and Spanish. Yet, Virginia state agencies continue to provide services without adequate or consistent support for linguistically-marginalized* Virginians. All Virginians need to be able to communicate and receive the support they need in their communities.
* linguistically-marginalized: groups and individuals who “use any dominant spoken or sign language, and are not fully proficient in the dominant language,” which in the U.S. is English.
SUPPORT
Budget Items 331 #6s, 267 #7h
Provides $2.5 million for state agencies to improve language access.
Full text: Item 267 #7h (Del. Tran) / Item 331 #6s (Sen. Hashmi)
Defending Democracy
We defend our communities’ rights to freely participate in civil processes and maintain civil liberties, based on the issues identified by Asian American Virginians.
🥳 All these bills were killed!
OPPOSE
SB 295
Restricts “foreign enemies” from owning land and operating businesses in Virginia.
Full text: SB 295 (Sen. Sturtevant)
🥳 This bill was killed!
SB 32
Requires voters to confirm their SSNs to vote.
Full text: SB 32 (Sen. Peake)
🥳 This bill was killed!
Economic Justice
We support fair treatment and protection of working-class Asian American Virginians.
SUPPORT
SB 246 / HB 1454
Extend the validity period of Driver Privilege Cards from 2 years to 7 years.
HB 132
Establishes a 13-member commission (to expire on July 1, 2026) to promote the growth and competitiveness of Virginia minority-owned businesses.
Full text: HB 132 (Del. Convirs-Fowler)
HB 256
Requires employers to provide paid sick leave for grocery store and healthcare workers (effective Jan. 1, 2025). Removes requirements to work a certain number of hours to be eligible for paid sick leave. Requires the Department of Labor & Industry to develop and publish guidelines for retail employers by Dec. 1, 2024.
Full text: HB 256 (Del. King)
HB 865
Creates new income tax bracket (effective Jan. 1, 2024) to tax $1M+ earners at 10%.
Allocates revenues generated from this new tax bracket:
- 50% to funding public schools
- 30% to Child Care Subsidy Program
- 20% to Virginia Housing Trust Fund
Full text: HB 865 (Del. Hernandez)
HB 887
Creates new income tax bracket (effective Jan. 1, 2024) to tax $600K+ earners at 7%.
Also creates 2 new refundable tax credits (effective Jan. 1, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2029) for Virginia residents:
- Child and dependent care tax credit: equals 50% of the federal tax credit allowed for employment-related expenses for household and dependent care services
- Family caregiver tax credit: equals 50% of caregiver’s expenses, up to $1000; available only to taxpayers that have federal AGI of up to $100K (if single) or $200K (if married)
Full text: HB 887 (Del. Watts)
