Driving Change Through Legislation
| At VPLC, our legislative advocacy is at the heart of our mission to fight poverty and inequality. We work directly with lawmakers to advocate for policies that provide economic security, fair housing, healthcare, and essential benefits for low-income Virginians. Our efforts include providing legal and subject-matter expertise, offering programs to help educate our partners and the public, and ensuring that people’s voices are heard in the legislative process. With the support of our partners, we aim to create long-lasting, impactful change that benefits all Virginians. |
Our Impact
$47M yearly increase in unemployment benefits
Legislation secured the first benefit increase in 11 years, adding $52/week for workers and allowing claimants to keep more part-time income.
$85M saved for Virginia families
Blocked Appalachian Power’s proposed $95 million rate hike, securing savings for 500,000+ customers and expanding payment plans and low-income support programs.
100,000+ Virginians gaining better access to benefits
Advocacy improved the state’s CommonHelp application system, making it more user-friendly and accessible for those seeking childcare, food, energy, and cash assistance.
Following General Assembly in Virginia
Virginia’s Bill Search
You can search and find legislation at Virginia’s Legislative Information System’s (LIS) database. You can search this legislation by entering the bill number (e.g., 5051) or by searching a keyword (e.g., eviction). Once you find the legislation, you will find the bill’s sponsor(s), a summary of the bill’s language, and more.
Know your Representatives
The Who's My Legislator? service is an online tool where the public at-large can determine what legislators represent them. Users can enter their home address or use map based navigation to see their Virginia House and Senate representatives, as well as those in the U.S. House and Senate.
Our Legislative Advocates
Valerie L’Herrou, Esq.
Deputy Director of the Center for Family Advocacy
Staff Attorney, Family & Child Welfare
Susheela Varky, Esq.
Director of the Center for Family Advocacy and Legal Assistance for Victim-Immigrants of Domestic Abuse (LA VIDA)
Legislative Advocacy News and Insights
Update
The Work Continues: New Virginia Laws and the Pursuit of Justice
As the nation reflects on 250 years of striving toward its founding ideals, new Virginia laws taking effect July 1 represent meaningful steps toward justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Update
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rules for children in foster care reform case; VPLC joined amicus brief
The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals this month ruled on behalf of children in the foster care system in a case brought against the West Virginia Department of Human Services.
Update
Paying for Protective Order Relief Means Survivors Stay Safe
For survivors of domestic violence or sexual abuse, protective orders can include housing-related relief such as rent, utilities, or alternative housing.
Our Areas of Work
We help make Virginia better for low-income residents in a number of different areas.