Virginia · 2026 Regular Session · Constitutional Amendment
HB 781: Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom(submitting to qualified voters).
Enacted Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 781 is a constitutional amendment introduced in the Virginia House on January 13, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Constitutional amendment; fundamental right to reproductive freedom(submitting to qualified voters). Primary sponsor: Charniele Herring (Democratic). It lists 23 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (February 11, 2026): Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB781).
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
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.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 21
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charniele Herring | Primary sponsor | Democratic | House | 4 |
| Kimberly Pope Adams | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Alex Askew | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 95 |
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 39 |
| Destiny LeVere Bolling | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 80 |
| Katrina Callsen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 54 |
| Betsy Carr | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 78 |
| Laura Jane Cohen | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 15 |
| Rae Cousins | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 79 |
| Mark C. Downey | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Michael Feggans | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 97 |
| Kelly Fowler | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 96 |
| Karen Keys-Gamarra | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 7 |
| Amy Laufer | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 55 |
| Marty Martinez | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 29 |
| Garrett McGuire | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 17 |
| Leslie Chambers Mehta | Co-sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Cia Price | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 85 |
| Atoosa Reaser | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 27 |
| David Reid | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 28 |
| Holly Seibold | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 12 |
| Irene Shin | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 8 |
| Shelly Simonds | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 70 |
| Kathy Tran | Co-sponsor | Democratic | House | 18 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB781)
- Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0002)
- Approved by Governor-Chapter 2 (Effective February 6, 2026)
- Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., February 11, 2026
- Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on February 04, 2026
- Signed by President
- Signed by Speaker
- Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB781ER)
- Enrolled
- Passed Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
- Read third time
- Read second time
Showing 12 most recent of 22 actions. Full history