Attorney General Miyares Unveils 2025 Legislative Agenda

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has announced his legislative priorities for the 2025 General Assembly session, focusing on public safety, victims’ rights, and tackling critical community challenges. Miyares emphasized his commitment to addressing pressing issues impacting Virginians through bipartisan efforts.

“This year’s legislative session presents a critical opportunity for us in Richmond to address pressing issues facing Virginians and deliver real results,” Miyares said. He highlighted his focus on public safety, protecting children, supporting crime victims, and countering emerging threats, urging lawmakers to unite in service to the Commonwealth.

One key area of Miyares’ agenda is combatting human trafficking. Brittany Dunn, COO and Co-Founder of the Safe House Project, praised the Attorney General’s commitment to addressing this grave issue, noting his support for survivor care services and prevention measures.

“Attorney General Miyares has continued to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to fighting human trafficking and protecting the most vulnerable in our communities,” said Dunn. “I am confident that, together, we can deliver meaningful results that will help protect survivors, prosecute offenders, and prevent human trafficking from happening in the first place.”

In addition to anti-trafficking efforts, Miyares aims to close legal loopholes in sentencing laws. Delegate Wren Williams commended his focus on ensuring public safety and law enforcement support. “Attorney General Miyares’ dedication to these priorities reflects his unwavering commitment to the citizens of the Commonwealth,” Williams stated.

Senator Mark Peake echoed the importance of strengthening sentencing integrity, emphasizing accountability and consistency to maintain public trust in Virginia’s justice system. “This legislation prioritizes public safety while supporting efforts to reduce recidivism,” Peake added.

As the 2025 General Assembly session approaches, Miyares’ agenda underscores his mission to foster a safer and stronger Virginia, with bipartisan collaboration at its core.

Some of the legislation supported by the Attorney General includes:

Protecting Victims and Ensuring Justice

• HB1556 / Pending – Sponsored by Delegate Williams and Senator Diggs, this legislation empowers the Attorney General’s office to prosecute child sexual assault and human trafficking cases involving minors, bolstering protections for the most vulnerable.
• HB1846 / Pending – Introduced by Delegate Arnold and Senator Obenshain, this bill ensures victims and their families are notified and can provide input when individuals convicted of violent or sex-related crimes seek to change their names, safeguarding victim rights.
• Pending (Owen) – Strengthens efforts against human trafficking by allowing prosecutors to pursue organized crime linked to these offenses, ensuring accountability for offenders.

Empowering Victims and Families

• HB1650 – Delegate Ballard’s bill enables victims of terrorism to pursue civil claims against those who aid or abet acts of terrorism, offering a new avenue for justice.
• Pending (Batten) / Pending (Jordan) – Expands the Address Confidentiality Program, providing broader protections for victims seeking to shield their personal information from offenders.

Strengthening Public Safety and Accountability

• Pending (Peake) – Closes gaps in sentencing laws by ensuring individuals convicted of inchoate crimes, such as attempts or conspiracies, earn sentence credits at the same rate as those convicted of completed offenses for certain violent crimes.
• Pending (P. Scott) / SB861 – Updates the violent escape statute to include modern definitions of law enforcement, preventing dangerous offenders from exploiting outdated legal language.

Advancing Fairness and Integrity

• HB1809 / SB749 – Introduced by Delegates Oates and Mulchi, this measure maintains the integrity of sports by preserving biological categories in female athletics, ensuring fairness and safety for athletes.

Promoting Civics and Accountability

• HB1548 – Delegate Ware’s proposal requires high school students to pass questions from the U.S. Naturalization Test as part of graduation requirements, fostering active citizenship among young Virginians.

Addressing Emerging Threats

• Pending (Leftwich) – Establishes a private cause of action for parents against TikTok, targeting deceptive practices and addressing concerns about data privacy, child exploitation, and security risks.
• Pending (Freitas) / Pending (Durant) – Allows public university governing boards to evaluate partnerships with nations of concern, protecting Virginia’s academic institutions from undue foreign influence.

Looking Ahead

These legislative priorities reflect Attorney General Miyares’ continued focus on public safety, victim advocacy, and accountability. “By addressing these challenges head-on, we’re building a safer, stronger Virginia for all,” Miyares said.

The 2025 General Assembly session promises robust discussions on these critical issues as lawmakers consider the proposals aimed at ensuring justice and security throughout the Commonwealth.