Dear Friend,

Week three of the 2024 General Assembly is in the books, and the House of Delegates is busier than ever. And while I’m not a fan of many of the bills moving through our process, I’m nonetheless hard at work speaking up for you and everyone else in our district.

Our week began with a disappointment. A number of bills that would have put safeguards on a social media site often used by children under age 13 were defeated in committee. These bills would have banned addictive features on social media shown to children, required parental consent for social media use, and created other safeguards.

A 2019 study of more than 6,500 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. found that those who spent more than three hours a day using social media might be at heightened risk for mental health problems. Another 2019 study of more than 12,000 13- to 16-year-olds in England found that using social media more than three times a day predicted poor mental health and well-being in teens.

Other studies also have observed links between high levels of social media use and depression or anxiety symptoms. A 2016 study of more than 450 teens found that greater social media use, nighttime social media use and emotional investment in social media — such as feeling upset when prevented from logging on — were each linked with worse sleep quality and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Unfortunately our colleagues in the Democratic party did not agree. I look forward to coming back again next session to try to implement these important safeguards once again.

In other business, the House is still as of this writing considering legislation that could allow murderers, rapists, and other criminals yet another chance to get out of jail early, a so-called “second look” bill. I have deep reservations about this legislation. We heard testimony from victims of crime and their families, and the heartache they expressed at the prospect of having to continually face the people who hurt them and their loved ones so deeply is tough to put into words.

I oppose and will vote against this legislation at every opportunity.

If you'd like to visit, I am located in Room 717 of the General Assembly Building, 201 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. We would love to see you!

As always, if I or my staff can be of assistance to you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact our Richmond office at 804-698-1039 or email us at [email protected].

Have a great week!