Dave Albo

Anti-Terrorism Bill: Albo's 2002 bill, HB 1120, defines an act of terror, increases the penalty for possession of bomb material and hoax bomb devices, empowers Virginia law enforcement to effectively respond to terrorism, and outlines the punishment for terrorism.[6] People found guilty of conspiring or committing an act of terror may be subject to either the death penalty or life in prison. The bill was infamously used to prosecute John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, who were responsible for the “Beltway Sniper Attacks.”

Anonymous Internet Defamation: Albo’s 2015 bill, HB 1635, extends the statute of limitations until the anonymous publisher’s identity is determined in an internet defamation lawsuit.[7] Albo proposed the bill on behalf of a constituent who was the victim of disparaging comments on FairfaxUnderground.com.[8]

Animal Cruelty: Throughout his political career, Albo has supported legislation to protect animals. Organizations such as Humane Dominion have recognized Albo for his efforts.[9] He is responsible for making treatment programs mandatory for animal abuse violators[10] and strengthening penalties for repeat offenders of the animal cruelty statue through his 2007[11] and 2010 legislation.[12] In 2016, Albo’s bill restored the powers of a standard law enforcement officer for Fairfax County Animal Control Officers.[13]

Cannabis Oil for the treatment of epilepsy: In 1979, Virginia passed a law making possession of marijuana legal for the treatment of cancer and glaucoma legal with a valid prescription from a doctor. However, the term “valid prescription” prevented doctors from prescribing it due to the Federal Schedule 1 status of the drug.[14] The law was in place until Albo’s 2015 legislation, HB 1445, changed the language from “prescription” to “recommendation.” Albo’s bill also added treatment of epilepsy to the acceptable list of illnesses.[15] Albo cites the stories of three constituents’ children as his inspiration, "There are a bunch of kids with Dravet syndrome that have hundreds of seizures and the oil from marijuana alleviates the seizures.”[16] NBC’s Dateline, aired a special series, “Growing Hope.”[17] The series covered the legislative tracking of the bill and personal stories of the patients.

Other notable legislation:

• 2004: HB 1080 -Requires an intake officer to notify a school superintendent when a student is involved with a juvenile case relating to gang activity.[18]
• 2005: HB 1573 - Increased the penalty for gang-related activity that take place near school property.[19]
• 2006: HB 847 - Requires juvenile justice officials to collect data on incarcerated gang members and give their findings to the Commonwealth Attorney’s Services Council. In turn, the Council shares the information with state prosecutors.[20] Albo was also a co-patron on HB 588[21] which made brandishing a machete near school property a Class 1 misdemeanor.[22]
• 2007: HB 2429 - Empowers the Attorney General, with the consent of the local Commonwealth attorney, to assist in the prosecution of certain gang and terrorism crimes. The bill also defines aiding or committing an act of terror as a Class 4 felony.[23]
• 2008: HB 820 - Requires correctional facility officers to check the legal status of inmates and report their findings to Local Inmate Data System of the State Compensation Board.[24]
• 2010: HB 736 - Requires Virginia circuit courts and Department of State Police to report information to the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System.[25]
• 2011: HB 1476 - Extends the limitation period for victims of sexual abuse to take legal action from two years to twenty years.[26]
• 2013: HB 1847 - Adds murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and other offenses to the definition of a predicate criminal act involving gang activity.[27]
• 2016: HB 177- Adds additional crimes such as engaging prostitution with a minor under the age of 13 to the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry Act.[28] Albo is also the chief patron of HB 886, which creates a Class 6 felony for a second stalking offense within five years of the first offense.[29]