Arr, mates! Virginia Legislature be makin' progress, aidin' in keepin' sea farers safe from unexpected little pirates!
2024-02-16
Arr, me hearties! The scurvy Virginia Democrats be pushin' forward laws to guard access to various sea-worthy contraceptives. Aye, they be wantin' to keep 'em safe from walkin' the plank. Avast!
Virginia Democrats in control of the state Legislature are pushing forward with legislation to protect access to contraception following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The bills aim to establish a right to obtain and use various forms of contraception approved by the federal government, including oral medications, intrauterine devices, condoms, and the Plan-B morning-after pill. The legislation also includes provisions for individuals to sue over violations of these rights. Senator Ghazala Hashmi, the sponsor of one of the measures, believes that the overturning of Roe was just the beginning of an assault on reproductive healthcare.Conservative Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas's separate opinion that other precedents, such as same-sex marriage and the right to use contraception, should be reconsidered was also referenced. The importance of access to contraception for family planning, preventing sexually transmitted infections, and managing medical conditions was emphasized. Similar efforts have been made in other states, with some enacting legal protections for the right to contraception. In Congress, a measure to protect the right to use contraceptives passed the House but failed to advance in the Senate.
While the legislation has garnered some bipartisan support, it has largely been advancing along party lines and faced opposition from religious and socially conservative groups. Concerns have been raised about the lack of an exemption for healthcare workers with religious or moral objections to offering contraception. Opponents have also raised concerns about the broad language of the bill potentially protecting access to abortifacient drugs. Supporters of the legislation include healthcare provider associations, the ACLU of Virginia, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia.
The bills are expected to pass in the coming weeks, but it remains uncertain how Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin will act on them. If Youngkin does not sign the legislation, he will need to explain his stance on contraception to Virginians.