TO (Senate Judiciary Committee)

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Please oppose HB 1380 & HB 2384 to protect progress limiting pretextual policing.

During the 2020 Special Session, Virginia lawmakers prohibited the most commonly used pretexts that police use to justify traffic stops and invasive searches. HB 1380 & HB 2384 would repeal that progress. By reducing pretextual policing, we keep communities safer, reduce the potential for harm and violence, and prioritize the protection of personal privacy over surveillance and stereotyping.

Historically, Black and Brown Virginians face pretextual policing at a higher rate than White Virginians. Black drivers are pulled over twice as often as White drivers. Pretextual stops allow police to pull a driver over simply because of their race. Pretextual stops by police are dangerous and life-threatening. Banning police from stopping low-level traffic violations can help eliminate discriminatory, dangerous, and deadly police interactions.

Limits on pretext stops are working. Data obtained as a result of Virginia's Community Policing Act already shows racial disparities in traffic stops are narrowing, without impacting public safety. Virginia's historic bill was the first of its kind and is now a model for similar legislation throughout the U.S.

Please oppose HB 1380 and HB 2384. These are proposals that will harm Black people and communities of color unlike any other legislation before you this session.

Sincerely,