Virginia Executive Order on Equal Opportunity

NUMBER NINE (2026) EQUAL OPPO RTUNI TY By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia, I hereby declare that it is the firm and unwavering policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure e qual opportunity in all facets of state government. Th e foundational tenet of this Exec utive Order is premised upon a steadfast commitment to foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, and mut ual respect for all Virginians. Importance of the Initiative This poli cy specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, c olor, national origin, religi on, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, political affiliation, or against otherwise qua lified persons w ith di sabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferenc es for veterans and specifically prohibits dis crim ination against veterans. State appointing authorities and other management principals are he reby directed to take affirm ative measures, as determined by the Director of the Depa rtment of Human Resource Managem ent, to emphasize the recruitment of qualified minorities, women, disabl ed persons, and older Virgi nians to serve at all levels of state government. This directive does not permit or requi re the l owering of bona fide job requirements, performance standards, or qualificati ons to give preferenc e to any state employee or applican t for state em ployment. Allega tions of violations of this policy shall be brought to the attention of the Office of Equal Empl oyment Services of the Department of Human Resource Management. No state appointing authori ty, other management principal, or supervisor s hall take retali atory actions against persons maki ng such allegations. Any state e mployee found in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary act ion.

The Sec retary of Administration is directed to review and update a nnually state procurement, empl oyment, and other relevant policies to ensure compliance with the non-discr imination manda te contained herein, and shall report to the Governor his or her findings together with such recommenda tions as he or she deems appropriate. This review shall ensure that stat e procureme nt policies fully implement and align with the non-discrimination directives in the Virginia Public Procurement Act, including its prohibitions on discrimination based on race, religi on, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disabil ity, status as a service disabled vetera n, or any other basis prohibited by state law rela ting to discri mination in employment. The Director of the D epart ment of Human Resource Managem ent shall assist in this review. No state e mployee or agent within the Executive Branch may engage in discriminati on in the provision of publi c services based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nat ional origin, age, political affiliation, dis ability, or veteran status. Any state empl oyee or agent who engages in such discrimination will be subject to appropriate disciplinary act ion. The Department of Human Resource Management is directed to prom u lgate, revi ew, and update appropriate policies i n the Commonwealth’s S tanda rds of Conduct to implement these requirements i n accordance with any other applicable laws and regulations. Effective Date of the Executive Order This Exe cutive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 1 (2018) issued by Gove rnor Ralph S. N ortham on January 13, 2018. This Exe cutive Order shall become effective upon its signing and shal l remain in full force and effect unt il amended or rescinded by further executive order. Gi ven under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 17th da y of January 2026. Abigail D. Sp anber ger, Gove rnor Attest: Jennif er B. Moon, Secretary of the Commo nwealth