HB 1716 Virginia House of Delegates · 2025 Regular Session

Contraception; establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement.

Summary
Contraception; right to contraception; applicability; enforcement. Establishes a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception, as such terms are defined in the bill. The bill clarifies that none of its provisions shall be construed to permit or sanction the performance of any sterilization procedure without a patient's voluntary and informed consent. The bill creates a cause of action that may be instituted against anyone who infringes on such right. This bill is identical to SB 1105.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Vetoed
May 2025
Introduced Jan 4, 2025 Vetoed May 2, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Governor Substitute Not Adopted Enrolled · 4 edits · Mar 10, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was finalized as an Enrolled Act, adding two new sections (32.1-377 and 32.1-378) to the original text. These additions establish a broad right to access contraception and create specific legal defenses for individuals and providers against restrictions. The final version also expands the definition of contraception to include a wide range of methods and strengthens enforcement by allowing the Attorney General and private citizens to sue against laws that violate these rights.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a single section establishing a right to access with an exception for religious objection to a comprehensive chapter including new sections on applicability and enforcement.
DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'contraception' and 'contraceptive' that include various methods like IUDs, implants, and emergency contraceptives.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirements stating that laws cannot restrict the sale, provision, or use of FDA-approved contraceptives.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new enforcement mechanisms allowing the Attorney General and private individuals to file civil lawsuits against laws or policies that violate the chapter.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified the bill's focus from a general right to access with an exception for refusal to a statutory right to obtain contraceptives with specific legal standards for defending against claims of violation.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 17, 2025 · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2025

How they voted

390
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Feb 17, 2025
D Democratic21
21 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Yea 1
94% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
32
Key actions
11
Committee
5
May 2, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed by Governor
executive
Apr 2, 2025
Vetoed
House rejected Governor's recommendation (42-Y 54-N)
lower
Apr 2, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (55-41-4)
house of delegates
Mar 24, 2025
Vetoed
Governor's recommendation received by House
executive
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1716ER)
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (21-Y 18-N)
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from Education and Health (7-Y 6-N)
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Committee
Assigned Education sub: Health
upper
Jan 24, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Read third time and passed House (53-Y 44-N)
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed by for the day
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from Health and Human Services (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Jan 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
lower
1 primary · 43 co-sponsors

Sponsors