HJ 1 Virginia House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Constitutional amendment (second reference); fundamental right to reproductive freedom.

Summary
Constitutional amendment (second reference); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides that every individual has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and that such right shall not be, directly or indirectly, denied, burdened, or infringed upon unless justified by a compelling state interest, as defined in the amendment, and achieved by the least restrictive means. The amendment specifies that, notwithstanding the other provisions of the amendment, the Commonwealth may regulate the provision of abortion care in the third trimester, provided that in no circumstance shall the Commonwealth prohibit an abortion (i) that in the professional judgment of a physician is medically indicated to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual or (ii) when in the professional judgment of a physician the fetus is not viable.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Governor
Introduced Nov 17, 2025 Last action Mar 31, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Enrolled · 1 edit · Mar 31, 2026
MINOR
The bill text itself remains substantively identical, preserving the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and specific abortion exceptions. The only changes are formatting and layout, such as the addition of extra spacing, centered headers, and the inclusion of official enrollment dates, which indicate the bill has passed both legislative chambers and is ready for submission to the governor.
TECHNICAL

The text was reformatted with added spacing, centered headers, and official dates to reflect its status as an enrolled bill ready for publication.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 16, 2026 · House of Delegates Jan 14, 2026

How they voted

2118
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 40
Jan 16, 2026
D Democratic21
21 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
18 Nay 1
94% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
7
Committee
4
Amendments
5
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ1ER)
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Amended
Senator Jordan Amendment rejected (18-Y 21-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Floor offered Senator Jordan, Emily M. Amendment
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Amended
Senator Durant Amendment rejected (18-Y 21-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Reading of amendment waived (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 16, 2026
Introduced
Floor offered Senator Durant, Tara A. Amendment
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 5-N)
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Jan 14, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (55-33-2)
house of delegates
Nov 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
1 primary · 57 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Charniele Herring
Charniele Herring
DDemocratic
VA
4
Co
Photo of Adele McClure
Adele McClure
DDemocratic
VA
2
Co
Photo of Alex Askew
Alex Askew
DDemocratic
VA
95
Co
Photo of Alfonso Lopez
Alfonso Lopez
DDemocratic
VA
3
Co
Photo of Amy Laufer
Amy Laufer
DDemocratic
VA
55
Co
Photo of Atoosa Reaser
Atoosa Reaser
DDemocratic
VA
27
Co
Photo of Barbara Favola
Barbara Favola
DDemocratic
VA
40
Co
Photo of Betsy Carr
Betsy Carr
DDemocratic
VA
78
Co
Photo of Bonita Anthony
Bonita Anthony
DDemocratic
VA
92
Co
Photo of Briana Sewell
Briana Sewell
DDemocratic
VA
25
Co
Photo of Candi King
Candi King
DDemocratic
VA
23