From Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia; note that, unlike Glenn Youngkin or Winsome Earle-Sears, Democrat Abigail Spanberger WOULD sign this crucial legislation into law if/when she’s governor. Let’s make it so!
PPAV Statement on Veto Session: Back in Your Court, Governor Youngkin
PPAV Urges Governor Youngkin to Now Sign Right to Contraception and Contraceptive Equity Act
Richmond, Va – Yesterday, the Virginia General Assembly reconvened in Richmond to act on the Governor’s recommendations to legislation and the budget. Bills with amendments that were rejected by the General Assembly will be returned to the Governor for his final action, a signature or a veto.
Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“The Trump-Vance-Musk administration has created a relentless storm of chaos, and here in Virginia, we do not need more political games that delay action year after year. We need leaders who will fight to protect the right and access to contraception.
Governor Youngkin has the opportunity to act now by signing the Virginia Right to Contraception Act and the Contraceptive Equity Act—bills that ensure Virginians can access essential reproductive health care. His failure to act would only confirm what too many already fear: that we cannot rely on politicians to protect our freedoms. That’s why we need a constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom—to make sure our rights are not left to chance. The time to act is now.”
Bills back before Governor Youngkin:
Virginia Right to Contraception HB1716 (Price), SB1105 (Hashmi)
- After the fall of Roe v. Wade, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas openly called for the court to “re-consider” the constitutional right to contraception. With the right-wing Court’s stance, it’s imperative for states to take proactive measures to protect this fundamental right, especially given that President Donald Trump has explicitly said he was “looking at” state-level restrictions on access to contraception.
- The legislation officially integrates the right to contraception into Virginia’s state laws, providing a legal foundation for this right. It explicitly prohibits any state actor from infringing upon an individual’s right to access contraception, thereby ensuring state-level protection.
Contraceptive Equity Act HB2371 (King), SB780 (Carroll Foy)
- We know that high out of pocket expenses can make certain forms of birth control prohibitively expensive, and this bill would require health plans to cover contraception without cost-sharing, so that people had access to the forms of contraception they need in reality, instead of in name only.
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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) is a statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve and broaden access to reproductive health care through legislation, public education, electoral activity and litigation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PPAV works to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices.
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