Reproductive rights still on the table as bills sit on governor's desk

The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its regular session on Feb. 22, putting hundreds of bills that were focused on maternal care and reproductive rights in limbo as Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a conservative Republican, has the final say on whether the bills will become law. 

The “Virginia Momnibus,” a major piece of legislation to come out of the General Assembly, would create new standards for maternal healthcare, in addition to addressing racial disparities in postnatal care for mothers. As of 2021, 30.8 % of Virginia counties were “maternal care deserts” according to March of Dimes, a nonprofit aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. According to a report by the Virginia Department of Health, the maternal mortality rate is more than two times higher for women of color in Virginia.

Both HB1649 and SB740 would require “implicit bias training” for medical care professionals to address this disparity. The package also contains proposals that would expand Medicaid coverage to provide diapers and other supplies to mothers. 

The Momnibus bills gained some bipartisan support, with Sen. Chris Head, R-Botetourt, being a co-sponsor of SB 740. The package also has strong backing from advocacy groups for women’s rights in Virginia such as The League of Women Voters of Virginia (LWVV). 

“Given the fact that at least 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable and the fact that 30.8% of Virginia counties are defined as maternal health deserts, it seems both ethical and prudent for Virginia to take measures to improve maternal health outcomes,” the LWVV wrote in a statement to The Collegian.

However, Youngkin vetoed similar legislation last year and has made no indication that he changed his position. 

Also heading to Youngkin is SB 1105, which would enshrine the right to contraception in Virginia law. This bill was introduced by Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield. 

SB 1105 “Establishes a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception, as such terms are defined in the bill,” the Virginia Legislative Information System says. “The bill creates a cause of action that may be instituted against anyone who infringes on such right.” 

The right to contraception has long been pursued by women’s rights groups, and over a dozen states already have protections for contraception in their constitutions. Hashmi called on Youngkin to sign the bill despite his previous objections to enshrining similar bills. 

“It’s time that he [Youngkin] stops listening to extremists and starts listening to Virginians,” Hashmi said in a statement released to social media on Feb. 19. 

Critics of the bill believe that it is too broad, and highlight the fact that minors would be included in the “people” with a right to contraception. Jeff Caruso, Executive Director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, firmly opposes SB 1105.

Caruso wrote in an email to The Collegian that the bill would allow minors to get contraceptives directly from a pharmacist without going through their physician. There is also concern that the bill’s broad definition of “contraception” could allow minors to access sterilization procedures. 

“Granting minors a right to be sterilized undercuts and bypasses current law that requires parental consent before a minor can have a surgical procedure,” Caruso wrote. 

Despite efforts by Democrats to get their bills passed, Youngkin stands as a significant barrier to these bills becoming law. Bills identical to the Momnibus package and SB 1105 were vetoed in the 2024 legislative session. 

Along with the issue of reproductive health, bills that would legalize marijuana and ban assault rifles are headed to Youngkin, both of which are similar or identical to bills that have been vetoed by Youngkin in the past. The deadline for Youngkin to act on the bills from this year’s legislative session is March 24, 2025. 

Contact city and state writer Declan Devilbiss at Declan.Devilbiss@richmond.edu