FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
April 14, 2026       
                                                          
MEDIA CONTACT
Roberta Oster
Communications director
roberta@virginiainterfaithcenter.org 

Richmond, Va. – “This has been a monumental year for the Virginia Interfaith Center, and we are proud to say that all of our priority bills are on their way to becoming law, marking a significant win for justice across the Commonwealth,” said Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, executive director of VICPP.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP) is celebrating a series of significant legislative victories during the 2026 General Assembly. VICPP helped lead statewide efforts to advance bills that will: require employers to provide paid sick days for workers; streamline the process for houses of worship and localities to build affordable housing; provide bias reduction training for health care workers; increase access to nurses in public schools; support mothers and infants facing health challenges related to substance exposure; and develop pathways for higher education in prison.

“These victories reflect the power of faith communities and people of goodwill working together for the common good,” said Rev. Cook. “We are deeply grateful to our legislative patrons, coalition partners, and VICPP members from all faiths who helped advance legislation that will make a difference in people’s lives and strengthen communities across Virginia.”

These bills that VICPP championed have been signed into law by Governor Spanberger:

HEALTH EQUITY
Bias reduction (HB 1147 and SB 22): This bill addresses maternal health disparities by requiring health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, to complete training on unconscious bias and cultural competency for license renewal. This training will help reduce provider bias.

Increase access to nurses in schools (SB 33 and HB 195): This bill allows school districts that receive at-risk add-on funding, to use a portion of those funds to hire or support school nurses. This will improve student health services and respond to students’ medical needs. For many children in these schools, the school nurse is often their only consistent health care provider.

Support for mothers and infants with substance exposure (SB 133 and HB 652): This legislation directs the Dept. of Social Services, Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, and Dept. of Health to convene a work group to evaluate the Commonwealth’s response to parental prenatal and postnatal substance use, including the services available to address such use, and the effects of substance use on newborns and children.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Expediting affordable housing (HB 594): This bill will allow localities to streamline the rezoning process for developers seeking increased density to build affordable housing. By reducing lengthy and uncertain approval timelines, the bill helps communities accelerate affordable housing development.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Higher Education Task Force (HB 1041): This legislation establishes the Virginia Prison Education Task Force, which will include a focused Higher Education Advisory Group. The task force will advise on the development of a consistent education program for all state prisons. VICPP will participate in both the task force and Higher Education Advisory Group, alongside other collaborating agencies in our ongoing initiative, the Virginia Consensus for Higher Education in Prison.

The Governor has returned the following bills with recommended amendments. Most of these amendments do not alter the core intent of the legislation. 

ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Paid sick days (HB 5 and SB 199): This bill will require employers to provide up to five paid sick days (40 hours) per year to all workers in Virginia. Workers would earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Governor Spanberger’s technical amendments clarify definitions and implementation details. The Virginia Interfaith Center looks forward to having a seat at the table during the regulatory process.

Yes, In God’s Backyard – Faith in housing (HB 1279 and SB 388): This legislation allows faith communities to build multi-family housing on land they own. Known as ‘Yes in God’s Backyard’ to respond to a common ‘not in my backyard’ attitude in public discourse, the bill establishes an administrative approval pathway for affordable housing on faith-owned land in Virginia. Gov. Spanberger’s amendments clear up several technical issues but also limit the height of affordable housing in some areas, even near tall buildings. 

IMMIGRATION
Immigration enforcement (HB 1441 and SB 783): bill limits collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement. The Governor’s technical amendment does not alter the original intent of the bill.

Immigration enforcement in sensitive locations (HB 650 and SB 351): As passed, this bill would prohibit immigration enforcement on certain state and local government-owned land, including public schools, hospitals, courthouses, and polling places. The Governor’s recommendation drastically weakens the consequences for law enforcement, including ICE agents, who violate the protections originally outlined in the bill.

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The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates for economic, racial,
and social justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer, and action. VICPP is a nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition of more than 750 faith communities working toward a more just society.