VirginiaHB7812026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom(submitting to qualified voters).

Sponsored By: Charniele L. Herring (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, election to approve or reject an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia relating to the right to make one's own decisions related to reproductive health care, including access to abortion. The amendment protects patients and their doctors and nurses from being punished for making such decisions. The amendment allows the state to place restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient's life or physical or mental health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive. This bill is identical to SB 449.

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Constitutional right to reproductive freedom

The Constitution recognizes a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. It covers prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage care, and fertility care. The state cannot deny or burden this right without a compelling health-based reason. Any limit must use the least restrictive way. Officials must protect and enforce this right without discrimination. These protections take effect January 1, 2027 after voter approval in November 2026.

No punishment for pregnancy outcomes

The state cannot penalize or prosecute you for a pregnancy outcome. This includes miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or using reproductive care. People who help someone, with that person’s consent, are protected too. These protections take effect January 1, 2027 after voter approval in November 2026.

Third-trimester rules with medical exceptions

The state can set rules for third‑trimester abortions. It cannot ban care needed to protect the patient’s life or health. It also cannot ban care when the doctor judges the fetus not viable. These rules take effect January 1, 2027 after voter approval in November 2026.

Voters decide and rights start 2027

Voters decide this amendment at the November 2026 general election. If a majority votes yes, it takes effect January 1, 2027. The state follows standard ballot, posting, counting, and certification steps.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Charniele L. Herring

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 107 • No: 67

Senate vote 2/2/2026

Passed Senate

Yes: 21 • No: 19

Senate vote 1/30/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 7 • No: 6

House vote 1/29/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 64 • No: 35

House vote 1/23/2026

Reported from Privileges and Elections

Yes: 15 • No: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB781)

    2/11/2026House
  2. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0002)

    2/6/2026Governor
  3. Approved by Governor-Chapter 2 (Effective February 6, 2026)

    2/6/2026Governor
  4. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB781ER)

    2/4/2026House
  5. Enrolled

    2/4/2026House
  6. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2026

    2/4/2026Governor
  7. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 04, 2026

    2/4/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    2/4/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    2/4/2026House
  10. Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)

    2/2/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    2/2/2026Senate
  12. Reported from Privileges and Elections (7-Y 6-N)

    1/30/2026Senate
  13. Read second time

    1/30/2026Senate
  14. Read third time and passed House (64-Y 35-N 0-A)

    1/29/2026House
  15. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB781)

    1/29/2026House
  16. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    1/29/2026Senate
  17. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    1/29/2026Senate
  18. Read second time and engrossed

    1/28/2026House
  19. Read first time

    1/27/2026House
  20. Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)

    1/23/2026House
  21. Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections

    1/13/2026House
  22. Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26101671D

    1/13/2026House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation