Virginia 2025 Regular Session

Virginia Senate Bill SB278

Introduced

1/9/24

Refer

1/9/24

Caption

Virginia Abortion Care & Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act; established, civil penalties.

Impact

The bill impacts several existing statutes, clearly outlining the rights of individuals to access and provide healthcare services without fear of legal repercussions from other jurisdictions. It prohibits law enforcement officers from investigating any person related to legal abortion and gender-affirming care, or from sharing information pertaining to such care with other jurisdictions. This could potentially enhance the accessibility of such services in Virginia and reinforce the state's position on healthcare autonomy.

Summary

SB278, titled the Virginia Abortion Care and Gender-Affirming Health Care Protection Act, establishes provisions that restrict law enforcement from engaging in activities related to investigations or actions regarding abortion and gender-affirming care that are legal in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This legislation seeks to affirm the state's authority in allowing abortion care and gender-affirming services, supporting individuals who provide, receive, or assist in such services without interference from public or private actors.

Contention

While supporters believe that SB278 appropriately protects healthcare providers and individuals accessing care from outside legal pressures, there are concerns regarding its implications for interstate legal cooperation and potential abuse of litigation. The provisions that allow civil actions for those affected by any investigations or litigation related to such healthcare activities indicate a readiness to shield healthcare practices from external legal challenges, raising a debate on the balance between state privacy laws and national legal standards.