Reproductive Freedom
The ACLU of Virginia protects everyone’s right to make informed decisions free from government interference concerning reproduction and whether and when to become a parent.
News & Commentary
Virginia Board of Health Adopts Burdensome New Regulations on Women’s Health Centers
Richmond, VA -- The Virginia Board of Health today approved permanent regulations that impose heavy burdens on women's healthcare centers that provide safe, legal first-trimester abortion, along with vital reproductive health care and family planning services. Contrary to the opinion of a panel of experts convened by the Board early in the regulatory process, the Board refused to "grandfather in" existing women's healthcare centers, so that many of them will have to spend tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on medically unnecessary architectural renovations. read more »
Virginia State Health Commissioner Resigns over Regulations Governing Women’s Health Centers
Richmond, VA – The Virginia State Health Commissioner, Dr. Karen Remley, resigned her post today citing the controversial regulations governing women’s health centers that perform abortions. “We have great respect for Dr. Remley’s decision,” said ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire G. Gastañaga. “We imagine it was a difficult decision for her to make and as a public servant, we understand that taking such a principled stance involved a great personal sacrifice.” read more »
Virginia Board of Health Approves Burdensome and Unnecessary Abortion Regulations
Richmond, VA – The Virginia Board of Health today voted 13-2 to approve burdensome and unnecessary regulations governing women’s health centers that perform abortions. These new proposed regulations, if unchanged after a 60 day public comment period, will make abortions more expensive and more difficult to obtain particularly if some clinics are forced to close. read more »
ACLU Report Reviews 2012 Legislative Session
Richmond, VA -- The ACLU of Virginia today released its annual review of the Virginia legislative session. Civil Liberties Review: Virginia General Assembly 2012 describes over 100 bills introduced in the General Assembly that advance or diminish civil liberties in Virginia. The bills are divided into 11 categories: First Amendment, Privacy Rights, Death Penalty, Equal Rights, Reproductive Rights, Immigrants’ Rights, Women’s Rights, Voting and Elections, Criminal Justice, Felon Disenfranchisement and Open Government. Unless special instructions are included, all bills that passed in the 2012 Session and were signed by the Governor became law on July 1. read more »
In the Courts
ACLU v. Department of Health and Human Services
FOIA Lawsuit Pertaining to Reproductive Health Care for Undocumented Minors read more »
