2024 Abortion Laws in Virginia

The news pertaining to Virginia’s abortion laws, and abortion laws across the United States, is evolving daily. If you have any questions about the latest abortion law information, please do not hesitate to call Adoptions With Love.

The laws regarding abortion rights – in several states – continue making headlines. Virginia is one of the many states that has been in the spotlight over this issue in recent years. If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in the commonwealth and wondering about your abortion rights, you will be comforted to know that you have options. Right now, Virginia abortion laws state that the process is legal. In fact, it could soon become a protected right in the state.

Read on, as we share the latest on abortion laws in Virginia, what lawmakers and voters have decided, and the options available to women residing in Virginia today.

Overview of the Current Legal Landscape

Abortion remains to be a highly contested subject among lawmakers across the country – and Virginia is certainly no exception. Ever since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, advocates and opponents have been debating the hot-button topic. According to Virginia abortion laws, it is legal to get an abortion until the end of the second trimester – about 26 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. In November of 2024, lawmakers passed an amendment protecting reproductive rights for Virginians. This constitutional amendment had passed in the State Senate back in 2023 but died before becoming law.

Virginia is the only southern state without significant abortion restrictions. Lawmakers had been trying to pass a 15-week ban on abortion in Virginia up until August of 2024.

Understanding Virginia Abortion Changes in 2024

Many states allowed voters to have a say in abortion rights in 2024 by putting questions on the November Election ballots. Virginia did not take this path, because it is one of 25 states without the process for citizen-led initiatives.

Instead, a House of Delegates panel advanced the proposed constitutional amendment, which would enshrine abortion rights in the state. The new proposal also requires third-trimester abortions to be approved by one doctor instead of three.

As of this writing, third-trimester abortions require the approval of three doctors in Virginia. The new amendment would require just one when a late-term abortion is determined as necessary to protect the life of the pregnant patient, or when their physical or mental health is at-risk, or when the fetus is deemed unviable.

The proposed constitutional amendment is not automatically becoming law. It now needs to pass through both houses of the Virginia General Assembly twice. Once a bill is passed and signed by the government, the amendment can move to a voter ballot during the next general election – in November of 2026.

If the proposed amendment can successfully make it through these rounds of decision-making and voting, then abortion rights could become enshrined in Virginia.

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Historical Context

The Evolution of Abortion Laws in Virginia

In 1970, the abortion laws in Virginia were updated to allow for the procedure in cases of:

• Rape
• Incest
• If the pregnancy caused a substantial risk to the mother’s physical or mental health
• If there were a risk of the baby being born with a mental or physical defect

This is when the law also required consent of the patient and three physicians.

Federal vs. State Legislation

When Roe v. Wade came about in 1973, the Commonwealth of Virginia was resistant to change. Despite the state attorney general’s calls to align with the high court’s decision, lawmakers took an extra two years to update Virginia abortion laws. Abortion was legalized in Virginia in 1975.

Your Pregnancy Options as an Expectant Mother in Virginia

If you are facing an unplanned pregnancy in Virginia, you may be thinking about your options. You still have three choices:

• Abortion
• Adoption
• Parenthood

If you are in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, abortion is still an option. If you are in your third trimester or you have already given birth, but you are not yet ready to be a parent, you may want to consider adoption. Even if you are still in the first or second trimester, you may not wish to have an abortion. Instead, you can lovingly make an adoption plan for your child.

Adoption is not an easy decision, but it is a thoughtful, selfless, and brave choice. If you are thinking about taking this path, you are already placing your child’s needs before your own. With the help of a reputable Virginia adoption agency, you can make an informed and loving decision that ensures both you and your child can have opportunities in life.

Choosing the Right Virginia Adoption Agency

With Virginia open adoption, placing your child for adoption does not mean “goodbye forever.” You can select the adoptive family for your baby and stay in touch with them over the years. You can determine the form and frequency of ongoing communication between you and your child’s adoptive family, if you wish. You can build a lifelong relationship with your child’s adoptive family, and you can – someday – form a meaningful relationship with your child.

Adoption is an emotional journey. Birth mothers report experiencing feelings of grief after the adoption is complete, which is why Adoptions With Love offers ongoing counseling for the first year after birth. These are normal feelings. The adoption journey can certainly be a challenging one, but it is also rewarding and offers many benefits for both adoptee and birth parent.

If you are considering placing your baby for adoption in Virginia, contact Adoptions With Love today. Our compassionate and experienced staff can help you design an adoption plan that meets your needs. Our Virginia adoption services are always free for expectant/birth mothers, and you will never be made to feel judged, criticized, or pressured into any decisions regarding your pregnancy.

Call Adoptions With Love any time of day, any day of the week at 1-800-722-7731, text us confidentially at 617-777-0072, or contact us online.