Senate enshrines explicit right to contraception in Virginia code; measure passes
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Summary
Senate Bill 596 passed 24–15 after its sponsor said the statutory right to contraception is needed to protect FDA-approved methods from future legal challenges following the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The Virginia Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 596 on Feb. 10, establishing an explicit statutory right to obtain and for health-care providers to supply FDA-defined contraceptives.
The sponsor, the "Senator from Eastern Prince William," opened by saying the bill "protects the millions of Virginia women who use contraception every day to prevent pregnancy" and expressed concern that the legal reasoning used to overturn Roe v. Wade could be used to attack contraception absent an affirmative state statutory right.
The bill’s text, the sponsor said, defines contraceptives consistent with the FDA as drugs and devices intended to prevent pregnancy and protects both an individual’s right to obtain contraceptives and a provider’s right to provide them.
The clerk closed the roll and announced the final tally: Ayes 24, Noes 15. The chair declared Senate Bill 596 passes.
Next steps: The bill will proceed through the legislative process following engrossment and any further procedures required by the General Assembly.
