Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom (first reference).
Summary
Constitutional amendment (first reference); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, defined within the text of the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment allows the Commonwealth to regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester when it is medically indicated to protect the life or health of the pregnant individual or when the fetus is not viable. The amendment prohibits the Commonwealth from penalizing, prosecuting, or taking adverse action against an individual for exercising the individual's right to reproductive freedom or for aiding another individual in the exercise of such right.
Bill status
passed both
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Governor
Introduced Nov 25, 2024
Last action Mar 24, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled
→
Chaptered
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill text was converted from an enrolled Senate Joint Resolution format to a chaptered format, with the addition of chapter number 603 and formatting adjustments. The substantive constitutional amendment text regarding reproductive freedom rights remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
Added chapter number 603 and formatting headers indicating the bill has been enacted into law
Adjusted line breaks and spacing to match official chaptered legislative formatting standards
Removed enrolled session headers and replaced with chaptered session headers
Floor votes · Senate Jan 21, 2025 · House of Delegates Feb 13, 2025
How they voted
21–19
Passed
Total votes 40
Jan 21, 2025
D
Democratic21
100% Yea
R
Republican19
100% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
25
Key actions
10
Committee
5
Amendments
3
Mar 24, 2025
Committee
Assigned Chapter 603 (Effective 07/01/25)
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ247ER)
upper
Feb 13, 2025
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (51-46-3)
house of delegates
Feb 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed by for the day
lower
Feb 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (12-Y 10-N)
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
Jan 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Read third time and agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N)
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Amended
Senator Jordan Amendment rejected
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Amended
Senator Durant Amendment rejected
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Introduced
Reading of amendment waived
upper
Jan 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed by temporarily
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day
upper
Jan 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 6-N)
upper
Nov 25, 2024
Introduced
Introduced bill reprinted 25101789D
upper
Nov 25, 2024
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jennifer Boysko
DDemocratic
Co
Aaron Rouse
DDemocratic
Co
Adam Ebbin
DDemocratic
Co
Angelia Graves
DDemocratic
Co
Barbara Favola
DDemocratic
Co
Creigh Deeds
DDemocratic
Co
Danica Roem
DDemocratic
Co
Dave Marsden
DDemocratic
Co
Ghazala Hashmi
DDemocratic
Co
Irene Shin
DDemocratic
Co
Jennifer Carroll Foy
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about SJ 247
Scope: VA
Hi! I can help you understand SJ 247. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline