Virginia Senate approves House Bill 6 to establish right to contraception
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Summary
The Virginia Senate on Feb. 23 passed House Bill 6, a measure that establishes a right to contraception and prohibits state or local governments from infringing that right; the Senate substitute maintained existing parental consent requirements and the bill passed 23–15.
RICHMOND — The Virginia Senate passed House Bill 6 on Feb. 23, approving language the sponsor said establishes a right to contraception and bars the commonwealth or localities from infringing that right. The Senate substitute retained existing parental-consent requirements.
Speaking to the motion, the senator from Arlington said the bill “establishes the right to contraception” and “prohibits any infringement from the commonwealth or any locality,” while noting that the substitute clarifies parental consent remains as required under current law. The senator added the substitute included an explanatory line about parental consent.
Senators voted by recorded roll call; the clerk reported Ayes 23, Noes 15 and the bill passed.
The motion carried after floor explanation and recorded voting. The sponsor described the change as protective of existing reproductive-health access and emphasized the limited scope added by the substitute. The bill’s text as explained on the floor creates a private cause of action “against any anybody who infringes on such rights” as phrased by the sponsor during debate.
Next steps: The Senate’s passage sends the measure on to the enrolled legislative process consistent with chamber rules; the transcript did not specify a calendar date for final enrollment or transmittal to the Governor.
Vote: House Bill 6 — Passed, Ayes 23, Noes 15.
Sources: Floor remarks by the senator from Arlington; recorded roll call on the motion to pass (Senate of Virginia, Feb. 23, 2026).
