Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has officially signed the House of Worship bill (HB 2594) into law, a bipartisan initiative introduced by Delegate JJ Singh to enhance safety measures at religious institutions. The legislation, which takes effect July 1, outlines proactive practices for preventing and responding to hate crimes directed at places of worship, aiming to create secure, welcoming environments for people of all faiths.
Delegate Singh, the first turbaned Sikh elected to a U.S. state legislature, emphasized the bill’s importance in safeguarding the right to worship freely and without fear. “This is a critical step toward protecting our communities and upholding religious freedom,” he stated on X.
The measure received bipartisan support, passing both the House and Senate before being signed into law. It arrives in response to increasing incidents of hate-fueled violence against religious groups nationwide. A comparable effort is currently underway in California, led by Assemblywoman Darshana Patel.
