# Virginia SJ271: Constitutional amendment (first reference); right to work.

Virginia SJ271, Constitutional amendment (first reference); right to work., is a 2025 Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Mark D. Obenshain (Republican); status failed, last action 2025-01-21 (Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)) (as of 2026-10-17).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SJ271-2025
- As of: 2026-10-17
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Virginia SJ271
- State: Virginia
- Session: 2025 Regular Session
- Title: Constitutional amendment (first reference); right to work.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-14
- Last action: 2025-01-21, Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N)
- Sponsor: Mark D. Obenshain (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: Privileges and Elections
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 2 (22 yes, 7 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Constitutional amendment (first reference); right to work. Provides that it is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or the Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person because of such person's membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Mark D. Obenshain (Republican), Senate

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-01-21 | Senate | Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections | pass | 8 | 7 |   |
| 2025-01-17 | Senate | Rereferred from Rehabilitation and Social Services to Privileges and Elections | pass | 14 | 0 |   |

## Actions (4)

- 2025-01-21: Passed by indefinitely in Privileges and Elections (8-Y 7-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-17: Rereferred from Rehabilitation and Social Services to Privileges and Elections (14-Y 0-N) (Senate)
- 2025-01-14: Referred to Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services (Senate)
- 2025-01-14: Presented and ordered printed 25103955D (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced, 2025-01-14: [HTML](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020321.HTML), [PDF](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020320.PDF)

## Related bills

- HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care. (adopted)
- SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty. (failed)
- HB1746: Public safety officer; definition. (failed)
- HB1600: Budget Bill. (failed)
- SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility. (failed)
- HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for infertility treatment. (to governor)

## Sources
- [Introduced (HTML)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020321.HTML)
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1020320.PDF)

## Related
- [HR671: Commending JR's Auto Care.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HR671-2025)
- [SB941: Robbery; use of air or gas operated weapon, etc., penalty.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB941-2025)
- [HB1746: Public safety officer; definition.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1746-2025)
- [HB1600: Budget Bill.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1600-2025)
- [SB1449: Data centers; site assessment for high energy use facility.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SB1449-2025)
- [HB1609: Essential health benefits benchmark plan; Commission to consider coverage for i…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-HB1609-2025)
- [Virginia bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia/bills)
- [Virginia state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/virginia)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/VA-SJ271-2025 (as of 2026-10-17).