Virginia House Health and Human Services Committee Advances Right to Contraception Act

RICHMOND, Va. – After hearing enthusiastic testimony from advocates for reproductive freedom, the Virginia House Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 16 advanced the Virginia Right to Contraception Act, HB 1716, by a vote of 15-7.

This bill would codify a person’s right to contraception by recognizing an individual’s right to use FDA-approved methods of contraception, including condoms, the pill, IUDs and emergency contraceptives.

In his concurrence in the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Justice Clarence Thomas called on the court to next “reconsider” Griswold v. Connecticut, the Supreme Court case recognizing a right to contraception. In February of last year, the Alabama Supreme Court found that embryos created through IVF were children, leading providers to suspend services. Donald Trump stated on the campaign trail in May that he was “looking at” restrictions on contraception.

During the committee meeting, the bill’s patron, Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-Newport News), noted that in addition to preventing pregnancy, contraception can be used to treat endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

“So the hundreds of thousands of Virginians like me who are dependent on this medicine in consultation with our health care providers would love for it to be protected here in Virginia,” she said.

Advocates Voice Strong Support for the Virginia Right to Contraception Act:

During the committee hearing, advocates from various fields—including health care professionals, representatives of reproductive health organizations, and community leaders—voiced overwhelming support for the Right to Contraception Act. Their testimonies underscored the critical role contraception plays in safeguarding individual rights, improving health care outcomes, and ensuring access to essential treatments for medical conditions.

Nicole Lawter on behalf of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “The threat of access to contraception is definitely real, and we appreciate you codifying this if passed.”

Dr. Avanthi Jayaweera, on behalf of the Reproductive Health Access Project:

“When we’re talking about contraception, I want it to be clear that this is also a treatment option for many different medical conditions. I have several patients who have different types of autoimmune conditions, and being on a long-acting contraception can help actually stabilize their condition. We’re also talking about cardiovascular conditions, neurological conditions, where contraception, preventing pregnancy, is a way to keep their illness, their chronic illnesses, at bay and controlled. And so whenever we’re talking about this, I also wanted to be clear that this is a treatment option. It’s a type of medication I need to be allowed to perform my job. I need to be able to practice medicine without any kind of interference, because in that visit, the patient is my utmost priority, and it’s important for me to be able to provide all of their options, and that conversation should just be between me and the patient.”

LaTwyla Mathias, executive director of Progress Virginia: “Our personal decisions are our decisions, and we think this bill reflects that.”

Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia; Kenda Sutton-EL, executive director of Birth in Color; and Patricia Hyer of the League of Women Voters of Virginia also stated their organizations’ support for the bill.

Next Steps

HB 1716 will now head to the full House for consideration. Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) is carrying an identical companion bill in the Senate.