Healthcare

Constitutional amendment (voter referendum); fundamental right to reproductive freedom. Provides for a referendum at the November 3, 2026, election to approve or reject an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia relating to the right to make one's own decisions related to reproductive health care, including access to abortion. The amendment protects patients and their doctors and nurses from being punished for making such decisions. The amendment allows the state to place restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient's life or physical or mental health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive. This bill is identical to SB 449.

Reports of fetal death; miscarriage; personally identifiable information not required. Provides that any fetal death report relating to a miscarriage shall not include a patient's name or any other personally identifiable information. The bill further directs the Department of Health to update its regulations in accordance with the provisions of the bill.