Virginia News Connection
Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act took effect July 1, enshrining access to birth control in state law.
Supporters say the measure gives Virginia women more freedom to plan their families. The law protects access to birth control and bars local governments from restricting access to FDA-approved contraceptives.
The bill passed on largely bipartisan lines, with three Republicans in the state Senate and 14 in the House of Delegates joining all Democrats in support.
Penny Blue, who lives in Franklin County in southwestern Virginia, supports the legislation. Blue, the ninth of 10 children, said her mother was proud of the family she built but was excited to see her daughters have more freedom to choose their own paths.
“She was more than excited to see her seven daughters be able to make different choices in life because of contraception and freedom — women having those choices and making decisions,” Blue said.
Former Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin previously vetoed the legislation, or similar bills, in previous years. He argued the law lacked language that protected the consciences and beliefs of medical providers or the rights of parents.
Virginia lawmakers also passed the Contraceptive Equity Act, which requires private health insurance companies to cover FDA-approved contraceptives with no out-of-pocket costs. That includes Plan B and condoms.
Blue said that in the past, women were limited in what they could do outside the home because they lacked freedom in planning their families.
“If you’re home having children or pregnant, then you’re not out in the workplace contributing to society in other ways,” Blue said. “Now, when you have children, if you have two or three, you can still do a lot. But if you’re having 10, 15, and 20 children, it’s very difficult to do that.”
The Contraceptive Equity Act becomes law at the start of the new year.
