Summary
Current Situation: Although the Roe v. Wade landmark supreme court case took place over 40 years ago, abortion is still a highly debated civil rights issue in American and Virginian politics. Pro life and pro choice activists continue to spar over the perceived benefits and risks of increased access to abortion, and multiple pieces of legislation relating to the topic of abortion are presented in both the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress every year.
Abortion is a highly controversial and sensitive topic, and abortion activists on both sides of the aisle have found it hard to achieve common ground on legislation.
General Assembly
REPro Equal Access Laws (SB 1451 – HB 2491)
Patrons: Senator Jennifer McClellan and Delegate Kathy Tran
Status: SB 1451 died in Senate Committee on Education and Health, HB 2491 died in House Committee on Courts.
Reproductive Freedom Act (SB 1637 – HB 2369)
Patrons: Senator Jennifer Boysko and Delegate Charniele Herring
Status: SB 1637 died in Senate Committee on Education and Health, HB 2369 was left in House Committee on Rules.
Constitutional amendment banning public funding of abortion (HJ 715)
Patron: Delegate Kathy Byron
Status: Left in House Committee on Privileges and Elections
Repeal ultrasound requirement for abortion (SB 1054)
Patron: Senator Mamie Locke
Status: Incorporated into SB 1451 and passed by indefinitely in Senate Committee on Education & Health.
Senate Committees
Committee on Education and Health
Subcommittees: Certificate of Public Need, Health Care, Health Professions. Higher Education, Public Education
House Committees
Committee on Health, Welfare, and Institutions
Organizations
Pro Choice Organizations in Virginia
Virginia League for Planned Parenthood
Pro Life Organizations in Virginia
Virginia Society for Human Life
