Spanberger Signs Sweeping Public Safety and Gun Violence Bills

Governor Abigail Spanberger signed a wide-ranging package of public safety and gun violence prevention bills into law this week, marking a major step in Virginia’s efforts to strengthen protections for communities, support law enforcement, and address emerging threats.

Speaking in Richmond, Spanberger said the new laws reflect a clear commitment to both public safety and those who serve on the front lines.

“As a former federal law enforcement officer and someone who comes from a law enforcement family, public safety is personal to me,” Spanberger said. “We are taking concrete steps to make sure Virginia’s law enforcement has the support they need to keep our communities safe.”

The legislation covers a broad range of issues, from improving police response to crisis calls to strengthening protections against online threats and sexual violence. Several measures will enable multiple agencies to work together during behavioral health emergencies, helping ensure faster, more coordinated responses.

Lawmakers also approved stronger protections for vulnerable Virginians. New laws tighten penalties for cyberstalking, bar convicted sex offenders from working in schools or teaching driver education, and create new criminal offenses for sexual extortion. Other measures expand school safety education, restrict certain offenders from entering spaces where children gather, and increase funding to support victims of domestic and sexual violence.

A detailed list of the legislation shows the scope of the effort. Among the key measures are HB1313, which expands workers’ compensation to cover post-traumatic stress disorder for first responders; SB673, which strengthens cyberstalking laws; and HB629, which creates new penalties for sexual exploitation. Additional laws include SB95, which requires human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops, and SB87, which mandates automated external defibrillators at certain public events.

Gun violence prevention is a central focus of the package. The governor signed HB40 and SB323 to ban so-called “ghost guns,” which are untraceable firearms without serial numbers. Another pair of bills, HB19 and SB160, closes the “intimate partner loophole,” preventing individuals convicted of domestic violence from possessing firearms. Lawmakers also approved HB21 and SB27, allowing legal action against gun manufacturers and dealers whose negligent practices contribute to violence.

Spanberger said these steps are critical to keeping both families and officers safe.

“Preventing gun violence is an issue of public safety — both for the officers who protect our streets and the children and families they work to keep safe,” she said. “Whether you’re a first responder or a survivor seeking justice, these laws reflect a simple commitment: the Commonwealth of Virginia will always have your back.”

The package also includes measures to support those who serve. New laws improve coordination among law enforcement agencies, protect volunteer emergency responders from workplace penalties, and allow families of fallen State Police officers to retain service weapons.

Many of the bills passed with bipartisan or unanimous support, highlighting broad agreement among lawmakers on the need to strengthen public safety across the Commonwealth.

With these measures now signed into law, Virginia continues to expand its approach to safety — combining stronger enforcement tools, community protections, and support for first responders as officials respond to both long-standing and emerging challenges.

Support for Law Enforcement & First Responders

• HB1313 – Expands workers’ compensation to cover PTSD for law enforcement and firefighters
• HB248 / SB317 – Allows multiple agencies to respond together to behavioral health crisis calls
• SB100 – Protects volunteer emergency responders from job penalties when missing work
• HB1300 / SB86 – Allows families of fallen State Police officers to purchase service weapons

Community Safety & Online Protections

• SB673 – Strengthens cyberstalking laws
• HB1387 – Revokes teaching licenses for convicted sex offenders
• HB559 / SB399 – Bars sex offenders from teaching driver education
• HB1352 – Expands school safety education (reckless driving awareness)
• HB250 / SB55 – Restricts sex offenders from visiting state parks to contact children
• HB629 – Creates new crimes for sexual extortion and exploitation
• SB778 – Makes it a felony to show obscene material to minors under 13
• HB1233 / SB329 – Adds funding support for victims of sexual/domestic violence
• SB95 – Requires human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops
• SB87 – Requires AEDs at certain public events and facilities

Gun Violence Prevention

• HB19 / SB160 – Closes the “intimate partner loophole” for firearm possession
• HB93 / SB38 – Allows lawful transfer of firearms from prohibited individuals
• HB40 / SB323 – Bans “ghost guns” (untraceable firearms)
• HB21 / SB27 – Allows lawsuits against negligent gun manufacturers/dealers

All of these were part of the broader public safety package signed by Governor Spanberger.

The full list of legislation signed by Governor Spanberger is available here.