2023 Session Preview Part I: Protecting and Preserving Life
“Individual freedom requires a respect for every human life at all stages.” This is the first statement in our Vision for Virginia because it is the most essential for human flourishing. During the 2023 session, which begins next week, we are anticipating both good legislation that would limit abortion and encourage adoption, as well as dangerous proposals that threaten human life, including an effort to legalize physician-assisted suicide.
Restoring protections for mothers and their pre-born babies
The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision upholding a Mississippi law prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks and overturning Roe v. Wade will inspire Virginia legislators on both sides of the aisle to introduce legislation.
Expect to see reintroduced this year the “Born Alive” human infant protection bill, carried forcefully last year by Delegate Nick Freitas (R-Culpeper), which would require reasonable medical care to be given to a baby who survives a failed abortion. Also look for legislation to restore informed consent and the 24-hour waiting period prior to having an abortion. With chemical abortions accounting for the majority of all abortions in America in 2020, according to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, we are working to ensure that informed consent legislation includes information about abortion reversal medication.
Some pro-life legislators are certain to bring bills to limit or end abortion, with Delegate Marie March (R-Floyd) having already introduced a bill (HB 1395) declaring that life begins at conception that would essentially prohibit all abortions.
Governor Youngkin, who participated in Virginia’s March for Life last year, indicated he would sign a Mississippi-style bill that prohibits abortions after 15 weeks, the point at which many medical experts believe a baby in the womb can feel pain. The governor has also included in his proposed budget the “Hyde” language that would protect Virginia taxpayers from funding abortions.
While our goal is one day seeing abortion completely eradicated under Virginia law and making it an unthinkable option, without a pro-life majority in the Senate we will try to advance measures that will protect as many unborn lives as possible.
Financial Resources and Adoption
As important as it is to advocate for legislation that limits the number of abortions in Virginia, it is equally critical we advance policies that help mothers both pre- and post-delivery, from eliminating taxes on essential needs like baby formula, baby wipes and diapers, to providing them the necessary resources throughout their pregnancy.
For mothers and fathers who decide they are not yet equipped to become parents, it is important that we expand the network of adoptive families by lessoning financial barriers. This year we expect legislation to be introduced that would provide state tax credits for families who choose to adopt, which can usually be an expensive process.
Stopping Physician-Assisted Suicide
Last year Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Henrico) brought a bill to legalize physician assisted suicide, which failed in the Senate Education and Health Committee on a 7 – 7 tie with Senator Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) “abstaining.” We also learned the Medical Society of Virginia (MSA) has adopted a policy of “engaged neutrality regarding medical aid in dying” (i.e., physician-assisted suicide). With just a narrow defeat in the committee, and the MSA essentially taking “no position” on this issue, we are certain that advocates of physician assisted suicide will be even more inspired to bring the bill again this year.
Alongside the Virginia Alliance Against Assisted Suicide, a collection of medical professionals and pro-life advocacy groups, we will work to ensure that vulnerable people are not coerced into ending their life prematurely and unnaturally.
We will fight hard this session to protect fundamental and “unalienable” rights to life and liberty that no person should be deprived of!
