Press Releases

SB 249 criminalizes sexual contact with animals and filming and distribution of such acts

Richmond, Virginia – Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senator Scott Surovell’s bill to ban the sexual abuse of animals, forced sexual contact with animals, the possession of animals for sexual purposes, and the production and distribution of materials depicting sexual contact with animals. The bill, SB 249, passed by a party-line vote of 9 to 6.

“Virginia’s current law is outdated and has not kept up with technology or the animal abuse issue.  This bill will remedy that oversight and ensure all heinous acts of abuse against animals can be prosecuted as criminal offenses” Surovell said.

Studies show a strong correlation between child sexual abuse and animal abuse.  One study found that 31% of animal sex offenders also commited against against children and many use animal porn to groom child abuse victims.  

SB 246 allows for the ban of possession of any animals by individuals found guilty of these offenses for a period of up to five years. The legislation also permits the court to mandate psychiatric or psychological counseling for offenders.  Dissemination of animal porn currently carries no penalty of any kind.   

Tabitha Treloar, Director of Communications for the Richmond SPCA, spoke in support of the bill in committee. “The Richmond SPCA thanks Senator Surovell for introducing this bill to address the serious crime of animal sexual abuse and we cannot understate the importance of bringing Virginia code up to date to address how these crimes are perpetrated in the current era” Treloar said.

The bill now goes to the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee for vetting and if approved, to the floor next week. 

SB 745 Provides Automatic Resentencing Hearings for Felony Marijuana-Related Convictions

Richmond, Virginia – Yesterday, the Senate of Virginia passed Senator Scott Surovell’s bill to make resentencing available to all individuals currently incarcerated for marijuana-related crimes, and parole for individuals whose sentences were enhanced due to prior marijuana-related convictions, by a vote of 22-18. Senator Surovell is Chairman of the Criminal Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

“Since we have legalized the recreational use of marijuana in Virginia, and are moving forward with legislation to regulate sales, it is common sense to provide relief to those who were harshly punished for offenses which are no-longer criminalized” Surovell said. “The attitude towards marijuana use in our Commonwealth has changed significantly in recent years, and this bill will help our criminal justice system reflect that change. Providing automatic resentencing hearings and parole opportunities will reunite these individuals, who have paid their debt to society, with their families and communities sooner”.

The Last Prisoner Project’s State Policy Director Gracie Burger voiced her support for the legislation. “Virginians sentenced under outdated laws deserve the opportunity to have their sentence reconsidered, as a matter of both fairness and fiscal responsibility. SB 745 provides that opportunity, by scheduling eligible individuals for sentence modification hearings,” Berger said. “Continuing the incarceration for these individuals is a waste of limited public safety resources that should be prioritized elsewhere. This legislation will put Virginia on the map as a model for smart, evidence-based drug policy.” 

The bill now heads to the House of Delegates for consideration.

SB 352 Requires Employers to Grant Paid Sick Leave to Healthcare and Grocery Store Workers

Richmond, Virginia – Today, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee approved Senator Scott Surovell’s legislation to guarantee paid sick leave for grocery and healthcare workers with bipartisan support by a vote of 12 to 3. The bill represents the most significant step forward for paid sick leave in Virginia. “Our healthcare and grocery store workers have been crucial to steering us through the pandemic. I am proud to see this legislation move forward, knowing it will be a great relief to those who have sacrificed so much for us, and will help keep these essential workers and those they come in contact with safe” Surovell said.

In April, 2021 and before the Omicron strain emerged, the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) estimated that 91,000 members had been infected and 456 members killed by COVID-19.  The World Health Organization estimates that between 80,000 and 180,000 healthcare workers may have died from COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Worker’s rights advocates celebrated the bill’s passage. “This bill is a huge step, as Virginia builds momentum to expand paid sick days,” said Kim Bobo, Executive Director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, a member of the Virginians for Paid Sick Days coalition. “This is the most significant paid sick days bill to ever pass out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. It would mean that more than 120,000 front-line workers wouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and taking care of their health or their family’s health. And it would set a clear standard for all businesses in Virginia to keep employees and customers healthy. Thank you to Sen. Surovell for championing this bill on behalf of Virginia workers and businesses.”

The bill now goes to the Senate floor for a vote on final passage later this week.

A 2021 poll from Christopher Newport University’s Wason Center shows that 88 percent of Virginians support a law that would require employers to provide 5 paid sick days per year to all Virginians. Studies show that employees working while sick cost the national economy approximately $160 billion per year.

Even before COVID-19, 41 percent of private sector workers, 1.2 million workers in Virginia, had no paid sick days or any paid time off. A new study by Harvard University researchers shows that two-thirds Virginia service-sector workers at large employers, including grocery store workers, have no access to paid sick days. The lack of paid sick days creates a crisis for low-wage workers who must choose between taking a sick day for themselves or to care for a family member and getting paid. If they bring COVID-19 into the workplace, they risk the health of their colleagues and the public at-large.

Richmond, Virginia – Today, Senator Scott Surovell announced he will chair the Subcommittee on Labor and Employment of the Senate Commerce & Labor Committee and the Subcommittee on Criminal Law of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“I am glad to take the reins of these two important sub-committees and thankful to The Chairmen for entrusting me with this responsibility.” Surovell said.

The Senate Judiciary Committee primarily considers matters relating to the Courts of the Commonwealth, Criminal Law, Civil Law and election of judges. The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee considers legislation pertaining to banking, commerce, commercial law, utility corporations, economic development, election of commissioners to the State Corporation Commission and the Worker’s Compensation Commission and other areas. 

Surovell is the Vice Chairman of the Senate Democratic Caucus, has served in the General Assembly for 13 years, and on the Judiciary and Commerce and Labor Committees since 2020. He also currently serves on the Privileges and Elections, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Transportation Committees, along with dozens of commissions and joint committees. He practices law in Northern Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1996.

SB 6 Raises the number of Justices in the 31st Judicial Circuit from Six to Seven

Richmond, Virginia – Today the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 6. The bill, introduced by Senator Scott Surovell, would increase the maximum number of justices on the Thirty-First Judicial Circuit from six to seven. This legislation came at the recommendation of the Judicial Council of Virginia. 

“Right now, there is a dire backlog of cases in Prince William County that is overwhelming the court and we need to take action” said Surovell. “By adding an additional judge to the court, we can help clear the docket and ensure justice is served fairly and efficiently for the diverse and growing population of Prince William County”.

On October 19th, Prince William County’s six circuit court judges, Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth, Clerk of Court Jacqueline Smith, and Chief Public Defender Tracey Lenox sent a 113-page request to the Virginia General Assembly’s House and Senate judiciary committees requesting the addition of a seventh judge.

In the letter, Chief Circuit Court Judge Kimberly Irving wrote “The Court is handling more cases, spending longer hours on the bench and even sending cases away on their scheduled court dates because six judges are not enough, working all day, to hear the scheduled cases”. She added “Our current crisis has been building since 2015, and it will only continue to get worse as the population increases and caseloads continue to grow”.

SB 6 now goes to the Senate Finance Committee.

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Mt. Vernon, VA – Today the Virginia House of Delegates passed Senator Scott Surovell’s legislation to prohibit healthcare discrimination. SB 1289 has now passed out of the Senate and House of Delegates. The legislation now awaits Governor Ralph Northam’s signature to become law. 

This legislation revises the Health Virginia Fairness Act by prohibiting healthcare providers from discriminating against patients on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation or mechanism of injury.  The bill stipulates that in every contract between a healthcare provider and an insurance company, there must be a provision that prohibits the medical provider from discriminating against their patients who are involved in litigation or were injured as the result of a car accident. 

“This legislation is important because it’s come to my attention over the last 24 years that there are some providers who screen out potential patients based on the fact that they were in an automobile accident,” Surovell said. “These are people who have insurance and typically these providers are not supposed to turn these types of people away.” 

The Virginia Association of Health Plans and patient advocates supported the bill.

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Senator Scott A. Surovell represents parts of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties since 2015. Prior to his time in the Senate, Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

Mt. Vernon, VA – Today the Virginia House of Delegates passed Senator Scott Surovell’s legislation to aid resettlement of immigrants who cooperate with criminal investigations by vote of 80-19. SB 1468 has now passed out of the Senate and House of Delegates and awaits Governor Ralph Northam’s signature to become law. 

SB 1468 establishes a reliable process for offering certification forms for undocumented immigrants certifying that they were a victim of qualifying criminal activity, as required by federal immigration law. Currently, Virginia lacks a clear way for victims to obtain the necessary certification forms to send to Immigrations Customs and Enforcement in order to then receive a T Visa or U Visa, which are provided to victims of crimes on the condition that they cooperate with the accompanying criminal investigation. The Legal Aid Justice Center and other advocates supported the bill.

“The bill will incentivize people to cooperate in criminal investigations because it gives them a guaranteed process they can follow and some certainty in the process. This will encourage people to help solve crimes,” Surovell said.

Beginning July 1, SB 1468 requires police and sheriff departments to designate an individual to receive any applications for the certifications and sets a 120 day time frame in which they must respond, as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has a six-month maximum for the entire process. If the police or sheriff department denies the certification application, they must state in writing the reason for the denial. Additionally, SB 1468 creates an expedited 30-day  appeal process through the Virginia Circuit Courts in the case of a dispute about an application denial.

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Senator Scott A. Surovell represents parts of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties since 2015. Prior to his time in the Senate, Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

Mt. Vernon, VA – Senate Bill 1182 will raise insurance minimums to compensate for increased medical costs and car prices. 

Richmond, Virginia – Today the Virginia House of Delegates passed Senator Scott Surovell’s legislation to raise Virginia’s auto insurance minimum coverage limits. SB 1182 has now passed out of the Senate and House of Delegates. The legislation awaits Governor Ralph Northam’s signature to become law. 

Virginia’s insurance minimum coverage limits have not changed since Surovell was 4 years old in 1975. They constitute the lowest level of insurance that is required to drive a car. 

“This update to the current minimum limits is long overdue given the increase in the cost of health care, wages, and the value of automobiles over the last 45 years,” Surovell said. “The state with the highest minimums, Maine, has the lowest number of uninsured drivers in America. The state with the lowest minimums, Florida, has the highest number of uninsured drivers. The data would tend to show that the higher minimum policy you have, the fewer people go without insurance so it actually has a positive effect.”  

The legislation will increase minimum car insurance coverage amounts from $25,000 to $30,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of one person, from $50,000 to $60,000 in cases of bodily injury to or death of more than one person in any one accident, and from $20,000 to $25,000 for property damage coverage. In 2024, the minimums will increase to $50,000, $100,000, and $40,000 respectively.

According to a study conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), this will cost the average Virginian who has this policy about $5 more per month.

This is the second year that Surovell has introduced this bill. 

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Senator Scott A. Surovell represents parts of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties since 2015. Prior to his time in the Senate, Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

Mt. Vernon, VA – The Senate of Virginia and the House of Delegates passed SB 1165, which repeals the death penalty in Virginia and saves almost $4 million per year that the Commonwealth spends defending people from the death penalty. Governor Northam has stated that he plans to sign this bill into law which would make Virginia the first Southern state to abolish the death penalty. Senator Scott Surovell (D-Mt. Vernon) patroned the legislation.

In the U.S. and Virginia, studies have shown that the most common groups to receive the death penalty are poor and minority defendants. The use of the death penalty in Virginia dates back to 1608 in Jamestown. Since 1976, Virginia has executed 113 people which is more than any other state but Texas during that period. 

“I cannot think of anything that’s more awful, unspeakable and wrong for a government to do than to use its power to execute somebody who didn’t commit the crime they’re accused of. As a 12th generation Virginian, I am proud to be part of bringing our Commonwealth in line with the rest of the developed world and making us a leader again on the right to due process,” Surovell said.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 22 states no longer practice death penalty. Five states have abolished the death penalty in the past decade, including Maryland which passed legislation to abolish capital punishment in 2013 (Nebraska additionally voted to abolish the death penalty in 2015, but it has since been reinstated). 

In the United States, 18 people have been post-humously exonerated after being wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to death since 1989. There is no conclusive evidence that perpetrators of violent crime consider the potential statutory consequences of the crime in advance.

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Senator Scott A. Surovell represents parts of Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford Counties since 2015. Prior to his time in the Senate, Surovell served six years in the House of Delegates. Surovell lives in Mt. Vernon with his wife and four children. He practices law and has dedicated his legislative career to fighting for Northern Virginia’s fair share, protecting consumers, and preserving our environment for future generations.

Mount Vernon, Virginia – Senator Scott Surovell (D-36) announced that the sixth annual Puller Institute is now accepting 2021 applicants.

Surovell created the Puller Institute to honor his predecessor, State Senator Elizabeth “Toddy” Puller who served in the Virginia General Assembly for 24 years. Senator Puller was an avid advocate for the citizens of Virginia and this program is dedicated to her years of hard work for the 36th District.

Over a decade ago, Mt. Vernon Delegate Kris Amundson created her Young Leader Program. Her program was designed to introduce top high school students in the Mt. Vernon area to the Virginia State Government process. After Delegate Amundson’s retirement, Surovell continued the program and renamed it the Amundson Institute in honor of Delegate Amundson’s commitment to Mt. Vernon’s young leaders. The Puller Institute is modeled on the same program.

“Since the creation of this program, I have met multiple young leaders from the Northern Virginia region with different backgrounds, passions, and interests. They have been an excellent source of inspiration for some of my past legislation and always offer a unique insight into issues within their community along with possible solutions. This is a rare opportunity and I am pleased that I am able to continue it another year,” Surovell said.

Due to COVID-19, the Puller Institute will be held remotely. Students will still meet with policymakers, cabinet officials, journalists, and policy advocates via Zoom. After the program, the selected students will give a presentation on a state policy proposal for Surovell in the spring. These projects are based on an issue that the students are both passionate about and pertain to the 36th District.

In the past, students have met with Governor Ralph Northam, Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, NPR Reporter Michael Pope, Former Delegate Kris Amundson, and Former Delegate Chris Saxman.

For more information on The Puller Institute and to apply for the 2021 session, please complete the application here:

Puller Institute Application

The deadline for all applicants is Tuesday, December 15th at 5:00 PM EST. The remote program will take place on Tuesday, January 19th from 8:00 AM-6:00 PM.

More information: Philip Scranage, Chief of Staff
571.249.4484