SJ 1 Virginia Senate · 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
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates 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 · 3 edits · Mar 31, 2026
MINOR
The document changed from a draft bill introduction to the final enrolled version ready for printing. The substantive legal text of the constitutional amendment regarding reproductive freedom remained identical, while the formatting was adjusted to include official dates of agreement and standard legislative chapter headers.
TECHNICAL

Removed draft metadata like bill numbers and committee referral status; added official enrollment dates and chapter headers.

Inserted standard formatting elements such as 'Virginia Acts of Assembly' and 'Enrolled' headers.

Deleted the list of Senate patrons and the initial committee referral line.

Floor votes · Senate Jan 16, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 2, 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
22
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
Upper · Passed
Bill text as passed Senate and House (SJ1ER)
upper
Feb 2, 2026
House Of Delegates · Passed
House of Delegates Vote: pass (48-34-6)
house of delegates
Jan 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (15-Y 7-N)
lower
Jan 20, 2026
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (21-18-1)
senate
Jan 15, 2026
Amended
Senator Jordan, Emily M. Amendment rejected(19-Y 20-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Floor offered Senator Jordan, Emily M. Amendment
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Amended
Senator Durant, Tara A. Amendment rejected (19-Y 20-N 0-A)
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Reading of amendment waived
upper
Jan 15, 2026
Introduced
Floor offered Senator Durant, Tara A. Amendment
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported from Privileges and Elections (8-Y 6-N)
upper
Nov 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
upper
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors