During GA2023, NWPC-VA has been championing five bills focusing on reproductive rights and healthcare. Our partner organizations include VREA,Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, Generation Ratify VA, and AAUW. An update on the status of each bill follows. Thanks to all who have been advocating for this legislation.
►CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT: SJ255, Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom
Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that the right to make and effectuate one's own decisions about all matters related to one's pregnancy cannot be denied, burdened, or otherwise infringed upon by the Commonwealth, unless justified by a compelling state interest and achieved by the least restrictive means.
This resolution, sponsored by Senators McClellan and Boysko, Delegates Herring and King, passed the Senate on 02/07/23 by a vote of 21-18, when it was sent to the House. On 02/17, the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee voted to "pass by indefinitely" this amendment to protect reproductive freedom in Virginia.
After a House committee voted down the Constitutional Amendment, Delegate Marcus Simon introduced a rule change resolution on 02/15: HR 323, which if successful, would have brought the Constitutional Amendment to a vote by the full 100 members of the House. On 02/23, the House voted to defeat the rule change (50-Y 45-N), thereby preventing a full vote on SJ255 as well as preventing Virginians from having the opportunity to vote for the amendment in a referendum which would protect reproductive rights. Be sure and check how your delegate voted here so you can hold them accountable in November.
The Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance (of which NWPC-VA is a member) advocated for this amendment throughout the GA, including a Speak Out event at Capitol Square on 02/23. Watch our socials and theirs for updates on the aftermath of this vote.
►CONTRACEPTIVE BILL: SB 1112, Health insurance; coverage for prescription contraceptives
Requires health insurance carriers to provide coverage, under any health insurance contract, policy, or plan that includes coverage for prescription drugs on an outpatient basis, for any prescribed contraceptive drug or contraceptive device.
Senator Hashmi’s SB 1112 passed the Senate with bipartisan support (26-Y 13-N) and was referred to the House Committee on Commerce and Energy on 02/10/23. On 02/16, the bill was killed with a 4-2 vote to lay it on the table. Senator Hashmi responded, “Around 400,000 women in Virginia face barriers in accessing contraception. Lack of access disproportionately impacts low income and rural communities.”
Meanwhile HB 2089, the House version of the bill sponsored by Delegate King, was killed in the House Commerce & Energy Subcommittee #4 (5-Y 1-N) and was left in Commerce and Energy on 02/07/23.
This is an unfortunate end to a bill that promised expanded access to family planning resources. The killing of this bill and related legislation should not be forgotten this fall during Election Season.
►IMPLICIT BIAS BILL: HB 1734, Continuing education; implicit bias and cultural competency in health care
Requires the Board of Medicine to adopt and implement policies that require each practitioner licensed by the Board who has direct contact with persons who are or may become pregnant to complete two hours of continuing education related to implicit bias, defined in the bill, and cultural competency in health care at least once every other license renewal cycle.
Delegate Head’s HB 1734 was referred to the House Subcommittee #3 of Health, Welfare, and Institutions. On 02/07/23, it was left in Health, Welfare, and Institutions.
SB 1440, a related Senate bill on implicit bias sponsored by Senator Locke, was assigned to the Education and Health Subcommittee: Health Professions. On 02/02/23 the committee voted to pass by indefinitely in Education and Health with letter (15-Y 0-N). The letter indicates that the bill will be studied further so that it can be reintroduced next year.
►MIDWIVES & MEDICATION BILL: HB 1511, Midwifery; administration of medication
Allows licensed midwives to obtain, possess, and administer drugs and devices within the scope of their practice. The bill limits liability of entities that provide or dispense drugs or devices to a licensed midwife and that rely in good faith upon the license information provided by the licensed midwife.
Delegate Adams’ bill passed unanimously in the House (98-Y 0-N). It crossed over and was referred to the Senate Committee on Education and Health. On 02/09/23, the bill was reported from the Senate Education and Health Committee with substitute (15-Y 0-N), then passed the Senate with substitute (40-Y 0-N). The companion bill in the Senate, SB1275 sponsored by Senator Dunnavant, passed the Senate unanimously on 02/13/23. And it then passed the House unanimously on 02/15/23! *This bill will be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.*
►PERINATAL HEALTH ACCESS BILL: HB 1567, Perinatal health; VDH, et al., to evaluate strategies to reduce maternal & infant mortality rates
Directs the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative, the Virginia Maternal Quality Care Alliance, and Urban Baby Beginnings, to convene a work group of stakeholders to evaluate strategies to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and make recommendations to enhance maternal health and public health support systems through expansion of the perinatal health hub model.
Delegate Rasoul’sHB1567 unanimously passed out of Appropriations and passed through three floor votes in the House on the block of bills uncontested! There is no Senate version. On 02/06/23 the bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules, where it reported out of committee unanimously on 02/10. It then passed the Senate unanimously on 02/14! *This bill will be sent to the Governor’s desk for signature.*
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