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Bill > HJR1

VA HJR1

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

summary

Introduced
11/17/2025
In Committee
01/14/2026
Crossed Over
01/14/2026
Passed
01/16/2026
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/30/2026

Introduced Session

Potential new amendment
2026 Regular Regular Session

Bill Summary

Constitutional amendment (second reference); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, as defined in the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment specifies that, notwithstanding the other provisions of the amendment, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the fetus is not viable.

AI Summary

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish a fundamental right to reproductive freedom for every individual, encompassing decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management, and fertility care. This right cannot be denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless it is proven to be necessary for a compelling state interest, meaning a significant government interest that is narrowly defined as being for the limited purpose of maintaining or improving the health of the individual seeking care, consistent with accepted medical standards, and without infringing on their autonomous decision-making. Furthermore, any such restriction must use the least restrictive means possible. The amendment also allows the Commonwealth to regulate abortion care in the third trimester of pregnancy, but it explicitly prohibits prohibiting abortions that a physician deems medically necessary to protect the pregnant individual's life or health, or when the fetus is not viable. The resolution also states that the Commonwealth shall not discriminate in protecting this right, nor penalize individuals for exercising it or for assisting others who voluntarily consent to receive such assistance, and that any part of the amendment found invalid will not affect the rest of the amendment.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (67)

Charniele Herring (D)*,  Kimberly Adams (D),  Lashrecse Aird (D),  Jessica Anderson (D),  Bonita Anthony (D),  Alex Askew (D),  Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D),  David Bulova (D),  Katrina Callsen (D),  Kacey Carnegie (D),  Betsy Carr (D),  Stacey Carroll (D),  Nadarius Clark (D),  Laura Jane Cohen (D),  Joshua Cole (D),  Nicole Cole (D),  Kelly Convirs-Fowler (D),  Rae Cousins (D),  Karrie Delaney (D),  Lindsey Dougherty (D),  Mark Downey (D),  Barbara Favola (D),  Michael Feggans (D),  Lily Franklin (D),  Debra Gardner (D),  Jackie Glass (D),  Elizabeth Guzmán (D),  Ghazala Hashmi (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),  John Chilton McAuliff (D),  Adele McClure (D),  Delores McQuinn (D),  Leslie Chambers Mehta (D),  Candi Mundon King (D),  May Nivar (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),  Virgil Thornton (D),  Luke Torian (D),  Kathy Tran (D),  Jeion Ward (D),  Vivian Watts (D),  Rodney Willett (D), 

Last Action

Signed by Speaker (on 03/31/2026)

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