Fundamental right to reproductive freedom

This is a suggested change to add a new part to the Virginia Constitution, Virginia’s set of laws, about protecting people’s right to do what they want with their bodies around pregnancy and having babies. 

• If this suggestion is passed it will be called "Fundamental right to reproductive freedom."  

• The new part says:

  • Every person can make their own choices about: 

    • How to take care of themselves before giving birth 

    • How to give birth

    • Care they receive after giving birth 

    • What they use to avoid getting pregnant

    • Getting medical treatment to end a pregnancy

    • What to do if a pregnancy ends on its own (called a miscarriage) 

    • Care they receive to be able to have a baby. 

  • These rights cannot be taken away unless:

    • The government has a good reason

      • This means it has to protect or improve the health of the person looking for care, according to what doctors say works best.

    • It can be done without limiting the person a lot 

  • The government can make rules about getting medical treatment to end a pregnancy that is almost done, BUT: 

    • The government cannot stop this from happening if a doctor says the pregnant person needs it to save their life, or for their physical or mental health.

  • The government cannot: 

    • Choose who gets these rights. 

    • Punish someone for making their own choices about having and not having babies, even if: 

      • The pregnancy ends on its own (miscarriage)

      • A person chooses to use medical treatment to end the pregnancy

      • The baby dies during or right after birth. 

    • Punish anyone helping someone else do what they want to do about pregnancy and having a baby.

  • Any part of this new rule that has a problem can be separated from the rest without taking down the whole thing.

Position Statement:

New Disabled South supports the changes in this bill because these changes will make sure that the people of Virginia can make their own choices about their bodies, without being worried that future laws will take that away.