Governor Northam ceremonially signed Breonna’s Law into effect today, banning no-knock warrants in the state of Virginia, and making it the first state to ban the tactic after Breonna Taylor’s death. Virginia becomes only the third state overall to ban no-knock warrants. The measure is part of bills HB 5099 and SB 5030.

Northam said, “Virginia is leading the way on policing reforms like this one, which will make our communities safer and our criminal justice system more fair and equitable. While nothing can bring back Breonna Taylor, and so many others, we honor them when change laws, when we act to right long-standing wrongs, and when we do the work to make sure more names do not follow theirs.”