By Virginia Society for Human Life (VHSL)
This Wednesday, April 27th, is Reconvene Day (Veto Day) in Richmond, when the State Senate and House of Delegates return to act on amendments and vetoes from the Governor on bills that passed during the 2022 session for the members of the General Assembly to accept or reject.
Among them there will be one of importance to us.
During the 2022 General Assembly Session, Sen. Mark Peake carried a bill, SB 163, to fix a major problem in Virginia’s law allowing surrogacy contracts. The law as it stands allows a couple making a surrogacy contract with a woman to include a requirement to abort the baby or have a “reduction” of the number of babies she is carrying if the couple decided for any reason to end the pregnancy or change the number of babies to be born. If the woman refuses, she is breaking the contract.
The purpose of SB 163 is to prevent the Commonwealth of Virginia from legally forcing any woman to have an abortion through these contracts. This bill does not prevent surrogacy contracts, but it does protect the pregnant woman from being required to have an abortion.
Pro-abortion Democrats initially supported the bill as written but in the final days of the regular session a change was made to the language of the bill. The change said the new rules couldn’t prohibit the surrogate mother from getting an abortion.
The effect of this change would legally be to bring Virginia one step towards codifying Roe v. Wade in Virginia’s code. The Governor’s amendment repairs this by striking the language added by pro-abortion members.
Please use the VSHL Legislative Action Center to send your message to your Senator and Delegate right away! Thank you.
Safe Haven Law Updates Signed by Gov. Youngkin!
Among many bills signed by the Governor last week were the House and Senate versions of the Virginia Safe Haven law changes. These are all positive for mothers facing crisis after the birth of their babies. Along with new safety requirements for the relinquishment of babies at hospitals, fire and police stations, there will now be a new special hotline that mothers can call for help before they feel forced to leave they baby in such places anonymously. It is everyone’s hope that these new provisions under the law will help protect babies and help frightened mothers in crisis.
Join VSHL for the Virginia March for Life!
This Wednesday, April 27, throngs of people will be going to Richmond to be a witness for life. As noted above, the members of the General Assembly will be back at the Capital for “Reconvene Day,” also called “Veto Day.”
The pre-march rally is scheduled to begin at 11am at the Virginia Capitol Building steps, 1000 Bank St, Richmond, VA 23219-3673, with the march to follow at noon.
This is a great opportunity to stand with other pro-life citizens and champion policies and goals that protect unborn children!
Pro-life goals are good for the people of Virginia and for our country as a whole. They allow us to confirm and encourage our representatives to work toward policies and programs that build society up and not weaken and destroy it.
There will be some terrific speakers to give the boost that we need to take courage and share the truth with those around us. Lt. Governor Winsome Sears, Star Parker, Dr. Alveda King, VSHL’s very own President Olivia Gans Turner, and others will be speaking at the rally, so don’t miss it! Click here for details!
