WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 954

VA Human Rights Act; prohibits discrimination on the basis of citizenship or immigration status.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Alfonso Lopez

HB 954 expands Virginia's Human Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on citizenship/immigration status in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Left in General Laws
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 954

Legislative bill overview

HB 954 would amend Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on citizenship or immigration status in employment, housing, public accommodations, and other areas covered by existing anti-discrimination protections. The bill extends protections currently afforded to citizens and legal residents to all individuals regardless of immigration status.

Why is this important

Virginia's current human rights law does not explicitly address immigration status as a protected category, creating potential legal gaps in discrimination protections for undocumented immigrants and other non-citizen populations. This bill would clarify that immigration status cannot be a basis for denying housing, employment, or services, which affects an estimated population of undocumented immigrants in Virginia while also raising questions about implementation and business compliance costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal-state legal tension: The bill may create conflicts with federal immigration enforcement priorities and employer verification requirements (E-Verify), potentially putting Virginia businesses in contradictory legal positions
  • Business compliance burden: Employers and landlords may face increased liability and administrative complexity in distinguishing between discrimination based on immigration status versus legitimate verification requirements mandated by federal law
  • Implementation and enforcement unclear: The bill does not specify how discrimination claims would be investigated when federal law separately prohibits hiring undocumented workers, or how Virginia would enforce protections that conflict with federal immigration law

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.