RICHMOND, Va. – When the General Assembly returns on Monday, one of its earliest tasks will be to consider resolutions to amend the Virginia Constitution to include broad protections for reproductive freedom. In November, the House Privileges and Elections Committee took the first steps in a multi-year effort by passing HJ1, which heads to the House floor this week. On Tuesday, the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee will consider SJ247, patroned by Senator Jennifer Boysko.
Virginians for Reproductive Freedom, a coalition of 17 state and national organizations that represent health care providers, patient advocates, and reproductive justice workers, is closely tracking the movement of SJ247 and HJ 1 and advocating for their passage.
“After working for many months to advocate for this historic and consequential amendment, we are excited to see it come before the General Assembly. ” said Gabriella Watson, Virginia State Policy Advocate, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. “As a new federal administration comes into power, states have a critical decision to make: will we accept an agenda that allows out-of-touch politicians to take away our freedoms, or will we stand up to protect people’s fundamental right to make choices about their lives, their health, and their families? We believe that the time is now to pass a constitutional amendment in the Commonwealth that leaves no one behind, and we hope that the General Assembly will side with the majority of Virginians who agree that protecting reproductive freedom is of utmost importance.”
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade exacerbated an already fraught abortion landscape. Abortion is now completely banned in 14 states, many of which are proximate to Virginia, and 41 states ban abortion at some point in pregnancy. These bans have devastating consequences, especially for Black women like Amber Thurman and Candi Miller in Georgia, whose deaths were preventable. Virginia has become a key access state for patients seeking care, and a constitutional amendment would protect the rights of both patients and providers to make decisions regarding their own reproductive health care without government interference.
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Virginians for Reproductive Freedom
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Virginia
Birth in Color
Equality Virginia
Freedom Virginia
Hamkae Center
League of Women Voters - Virginia
National Council of Jewish Women - Virginia
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice - Virginia
National Women’s Political Caucus - Virginia
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
Progress Virginia
REPRO Rising Virginia
Whole Woman’s Health Alliance
A Woman’s Choice Danville
Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance
Young Feminist Party of Virginia
