Virginia repeals overly restrictive abortion rules

Tarina Keane, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice VA, speaks in January in support of legislation to overturn restrictive anti-abortion laws.

Legislation enacted in Virginia, signed by Gov. Ralph Northam April 9, repeal medically unnecessary restrictions on women’s reproductive health.

Senate Bill 733 and House Bill 980 eliminate the requirement of an ultrasound and a mandatory 24-hour waiting period for women seeking abortions.

They also repeal requirements classifying facilities that perform five or more abortions as hospitals.  Those TRAP (targeted restrictions on abortion providers) regulated the number of parking spaces and water fountains clinics were required to have, as well as other burdensome and costly requirements not related to medical care.

The TRAP restrictions were designed to shut down clinics, making it difficult, if not impossible, for many women to access healthcare.

“No more will legislators in Richmond – most of whom are men – be telling women what they should and should not be doing with their bodies,” Northam said. “The Reproductive Health Protection Act will make women and families safer, and I’m proud to sign it into law.”

“Virginia women deserve access to healthcare free from interference from politicians,” said House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), who introduced H980. “Simply, this bill rolls back restrictions that are not evidence-based and presume that women have an inability to make their own healthcare decisions.”

“This is about protecting Virginians’ health, rights, and basic dignity,” said Sen. Jennifer McClellan (D-Richmond), the sponsor of S733. “Today, we have finally put an end to these medically unnecessary barriers to women’s reproductive health care.”