State Sen. David R. Suetterlein has advanced a measure that would formalize a program meant to reduce youth behaviors connected to gun violence and strengthen community participation, as reflected by the Virginia State Senate.
The legislation, identified as SB820, was introduced on Jan. 23, 2026, during the General Assembly’s regular session, and is officially titled: “Community Builders Pilot Program; name change, statewide demonstration model site, repeals sunset.”
Below is our summary—drawn from the actual bill text—which interprets some features to enhance clarity for readers.
The measure updates the Community Builders Pilot Program’s name to the Community Builders Program and solidifies it as a continuous program by removing its expiration provision. It maintains efforts within Roanoke and Petersburg city schools to address underlying behaviors tied to gun violence and to improve civic engagement by providing after-school and summer opportunities for up to 100 rising eighth graders per session. The initiative must include career and technical education, workforce readiness, higher education exploration, lessons in social-emotional growth, restorative justice, and activities for family involvement. School boards would oversee local implementation, partner with supporting organizations, hire program personnel, create curricula, and file annual participation and outcomes reports—including data on student results and gun violence—by Nov. 1 each year.
The bill lists Sen. David R. Suetterlein (Republican-4th District) as its sole patron.
As of this session, Suetterlein has also introduced 18 additional pieces of legislation.
Suetterlein holds a bachelor’s degree from Grove City College.
A Republican, Suetterlein was elected in 2024 to represent Virginia’s 4th Senate district, replacing the former seat holder Ryan McDougle.
The process for enacting new laws in Virginia commences when legislation is filed in the House of Delegates or Senate and then directed to specialized committee(s) for review, modification, or recommendation. If successful at the committee level, the bill moves to full chamber votes in both houses. Approved legislation is sent to the governor, who may sign, veto, or allow the bill to take effect without signature. The state’s General Assembly meets each year for its regular session beginning the second Monday of January, reviewing hundreds of proposals, though only a fraction eventually become law.
| Patron(s) | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| David R. Suetterlein | SB820 | 01/23/2026 | Community Builders Pilot Program; name change, statewide demonstration model site, repeals sunset. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB815 | 01/23/2026 | School bds.; opening of school year, certain alternative schedules & schedule flexibility permitted. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB817 | 01/23/2026 | School bds; parental notification of course registration deadlines and processes required, policies. |
| David R. Suetterlein and Kannan Srinivasan | SB818 | 01/23/2026 | Electric utilities; licensed retail suppliers, renewable portfolio standard requirements. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Bill DeSteph, Bryce E. Reeves, Christie New Craig, Christopher T. Head, Emily M. Jordan, Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr., J.D. “Danny” Diggs, Luther Cifers, III, Mark D. Obenshain, Mark J. Peake, Richard H. Stuart, Ryan T. McDougle, T. Travis Hackworth, Tammy Brankley Mulchi, Tara A. Durant, Timmy F. French, Todd E. Pillion, and William M. Stanley, Jr. | SB7 | 01/14/2026 | Income tax, state; standard deduction and earned income tax credit. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Bill DeSteph, Bryce E. Reeves, Christie New Craig, Christopher T. Head, Emily M. Jordan, Glen H. Sturtevant, Jr., J.D. “Danny” Diggs, Luther Cifers, III, Mark D. Obenshain, Mark J. Peake, Richard H. Stuart, Ryan T. McDougle, T. Travis Hackworth, Tammy Brankley Mulchi, Tara A. Durant, Timmy F. French, Todd E. Pillion, and William M. Stanley, Jr. | SB9 | 01/14/2026 | RS & UT; food for human consumption and essential personal hygiene products, delayed effective date. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Joseph P. McNamara, and Sam Rasoul | SB10 | 01/14/2026 | Employment prohibition exceptions; apprenticeship program for children 16 years of age or older. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB15 | 01/14/2026 | Motorcycle Driver Improvement Clinic Fund; created. |
| David R. Suetterlein and Bill DeSteph | SB17 | 01/14/2026 | Enforcement of vehicle liens; increases property value. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB202 | 01/14/2026 | Elections; filling vacancies in county and city governing bodies. |
| David R. Suetterlein and Bryce E. Reeves | SB203 | 01/14/2026 | Teacher licensure; career and technical education or dual enrollment, three-year licenses. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Angelia Williams Graves, and Tammy Brankley Mulchi | SB204 | 01/14/2026 | License plates, special; issuance to members of Virginia REALTORS, fees collected. |
| David R. Suetterlein and T. Travis Hackworth | SB205 | 01/14/2026 | Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities; program extension. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Barbara A. Favola, Anne Ferrell Tata, Irene Shin, and Joshua G. Cole | SB206 | 01/14/2026 | Juvenile and domestic relations district courts; petitions for relief of care and custody. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB533 | 01/14/2026 | Elections; absentee voting in person, uniform availability. |
| David R. Suetterlein, Joseph P. McNamara, and Sam Rasoul | SB534 | 01/14/2026 | Emergency custody orders; transportation to treatment center, etc. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB538 | 01/14/2026 | Parole; investigation prior to release, input from the attorney for the Commonwealth. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB686 | 01/14/2026 | Holding a handheld personal communications device while driving; driver improvement clinic. |
| David R. Suetterlein | SB692 | 01/14/2026 | Western Virginia Public Education Consortium; governance, funding, duties, report. |
Facts in this article were provided by the Virginia State Senate. Access the source data here.
