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Bill > HJR1

VA HJR1

VA HJR1
Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference).

summary

Introduced
11/20/2023
In Committee
01/28/2025
Crossed Over
01/14/2025
Passed
01/31/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/24/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Offered January 10, 2024 Prefiled November 20, 2023 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia by adding in Article I a section numbered 11-A, relating to the fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

AI Summary

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to the Virginia Constitution that would establish a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. The amendment would explicitly protect an individual's ability to make decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care. It stipulates that these rights cannot be denied or burdened unless there is a compelling state interest, which must be achieved through the least restrictive means possible. The amendment allows the state to regulate third-trimester abortions but prohibits complete abortion bans, specifically protecting medical procedures necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual or in cases of non-viable fetuses. The resolution also prevents the Commonwealth from discriminating against or penalizing individuals for their reproductive health choices, including those related to pregnancy outcomes, and protects individuals who assist others in exercising reproductive rights. Notably, the amendment defines a compelling state interest narrowly, focusing on maintaining individual health consistent with accepted clinical standards, and includes a self-executing provision that allows invalid parts of the amendment to be severed without invalidating the entire section.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (51)

Charniele Herring (D)*,  Bonita Anthony (D),  Alex Askew (D),  Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D),  David Bulova (D),  Katrina Callsen (D),  Betsy Carr (D),  Nadarius Clark (D),  Laura Jane Cohen (D),  Joshua Cole (D),  Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),  Rae Cousins (D),  Karrie Delaney (D),  Michael Feggans (D),  Debra Gardner (D),  Jackie Glass (D),  C.E. Hayes (D),  Dan Helmer (D),  J.R. Henson (D),  Phil Hernandez (D),  Patrick Hope (D),  Michael Jones (D),  Karen Keys-Gamarra (D),  Paul Krizek (D),  Amy Laufer (D),  Destiny LeVere Bolling (D),  Michelle Lopes-Maldonado (D),  Alfonso Lopez (D),  Fernando Martinez (D),  Adele McClure (D),  Jeremy McPike (D),  Delores McQuinn (D),  Candi Mundon King (D),  Marcia Price (D),  Sam Rasoul (D),  Atoosa Reaser (D),  David Reid (D),  Don Scott (D),  Holly Seibold (D),  Briana Sewell (D),  Irene Shin (D),  Mark Sickles (D),  Marcus Simon (D),  Shelly Simonds (D),  J.J. Singh (D),  Richard Sullivan (D),  Josh Thomas (D),  Kathy Tran (D),  Jeion Ward (D),  Vivian Watts (D),  Rodney Willett (D), 

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0600) (on 03/24/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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