SB 137 Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Obstructing health care facility access; penalties.

Summary
Obstructing reproductive health care facility; penalties. Creates a Class 1 misdemeanor for any person who (i) by force or threat of force, or by physical obstruction, intentionally injures, intimidates, or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate, or interfere with, another person because such other person is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from, obtaining or providing reproductive health services, defined in the bill, or (ii) intentionally damages or destroys, or attempts to damage or destroy, a reproductive health care facility, defined in the bill, because such facility provides reproductive health services. The bill also provides that the provisions of the bill shall not be construed to place any restriction on the content of any message that anyone may wish to communicate to anyone else, either inside or outside the regulated areas.
Bill status vetoed 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Vetoed
Apr 2026
Introduced Jan 6, 2026 Vetoed Apr 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Enrolled Courts of Justice Substitute · 5 edits
MODERATE
The bill was converted from an 'Enrolled' final version into a 'Courts of Justice Substitute' draft, indicating it is being revised by the House Committee for Courts of Justice. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new civil remedy allowing injured parties to sue for damages and attorney fees, alongside the existing criminal penalties. The bill also introduces specific requirements for facilities to post signage and defines a 25-foot buffer zone around entrances.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include civil liability for violations, allowing private lawsuits in addition to criminal prosecution.
ENFORCEMENT

Added a new section (8.01-44.8) allowing individuals injured by violations to sue for actual damages, up to $5,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorney fees.

Added new penalties for violating the 25-foot boundary order, including civil fines up to $25,000 for repeat offenders and misdemeanor charges.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for reproductive health facilities to post signage clearly marking a 25-foot boundary around entrances and driveways.

Added a provision stating that penalties do not apply if the facility fails to post the required signage.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'law-enforcement officer' referencing existing state code.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 20, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 4, 2026

How they voted

390
Passed
Total votes 39
Jan 20, 2026
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
44
Key actions
12
Committee
10
Apr 13, 2026
Vetoed
Governor's recommendation received by Senate
executive
Mar 31, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by President
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB137ER)
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Conference report agreed to by Senate (21-Y 18-N 0-A)
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Conference report agreed to by House (62-Y 35-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Legislature · Passed
Conference Report released
legislature
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
House requested conference committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House with substitute (64-Y 35-N 0-A)
lower
Mar 2, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Feb 27, 2026
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee offered
lower
Feb 17, 2026
Committee
Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Read third time and passed Senate (20-Y 19-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 20, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)
upper
Jan 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice (8-Y 7-N)
upper
Jan 6, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Stella Pekarsky
Stella Pekarsky
DDemocratic
VA
36