[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379122,"mediaKeyId","2136719-f54f6200d07a3896864dd139a8b1cdde","parentId",2136719,"title","Senate rejects parental-consent and 'live-birth' amendments to reproductive-freedom constitutional resolution","audioSeconds",2135,"startMs",3335000,"endMs",5470000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136719-f54f6200d07a3896864dd139a8b1cdde&start=3335&end=5470","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136719-f54f6200d07a3896864dd139a8b1cdde/thumbnail_3335000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379122/Virginia/Senate-rejects-parental-consent-and-live-birth-amendments-to-reproductive-freedom-constitutional-resolution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379122-17f446cecb9497b6b7077bb4a7ca622d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078013&Signature=owMJ2COAZdkfXR5~3q3K4CJRSyWTtAiMh0-fnlbObzXf9NOrE~Ol1oc3oMGGzTwX1OUN28G3X5rJlZWqEf1n6bVYYS1t4Yn7OP7nCgRFM-afcPnBoMPqZymwcUrwrCiINb1pMjZgNADKNr0RfxuucDUt8srD~ZYJoukA0cWf2T69ip4rUr9opkr~X8sHceGKYGgWP41ngy6Gc~hJo0NXnvt4cP8d5s8yi2uMiFZTUh-NKCJoFkJs9guQfT9q~qOc4w-xVHl4SIMWTc0SuSXPmEli9SjOEGS83I0D9jmsuwwKwbu3YfWg-UINctchW~P5EfbKbTOZReliJ8MKgNZjCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Virginia Legislature","date","2025-01-20T00:00:00Z","article","Richmond — The Virginia Senate debated and voted down two floor amendments to a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, then advanced the underlying resolution to a third, constitutional reading.

Senators voted 19–21 against the Durant floor amendment, which would have added explicit parental-consent language relating to minors, and voted 19–21 against the Jordan amendment, which would have required that an infant born alive after an abortion receive medical care.

The debate centered on how broadly the constitutional text should protect reproductive-health decisions and whether adding specific parental-consent or infant-care language would override existing statutes or invite legal challenges. After the floor votes, the Senate agreed to engross and advance the main resolution, SJR 247, to its third constitutional reading.

Why it matters: SJR 247 would place the question of a constitutional right to reproductive freedom before Virginia voters. Supporters say a constitutional provision would restore protections abandoned nationally after Dobbs; opponents argued particular floor amendments either were unnecessary because of current statute or would undermine parental rights and other state interests.

Supporters framed SJR 247 as restoring pre-Dobbs protections for access to contraception, in vitro fertilization, miscarriage care and abortion. Senator Boisco, the senator from Northern Fairfax, urged rejection of the Durant amendment and said the amendment’s language should remain silent on parental-consent specifics so voters and courts, not the legislature, define the scope. \"This amendment is silent on parental consent,\" Boisco said, adding that other states had passed similar constitutional language without invalidating parental-consent statutes.

Senator Durant, the senator from Stafford and sponsor of the Durant floor amendment, argued that parental involvement is essential for protecting minors’ health. She cited state law in making her case: \"The Virginia code, section 1 dash 240.1 is clear. A parent has the fundamental right to make decisions regarding the upbringing, education, and care of their child. Full stop,\" she said, urging that the constitution explicitly protect parental decision-making.

Opponents warned that narrowly tailored statutes could be overridden if the constitutional text was broadened in ways that courts might interpret to preempt parental-consent laws. Senator Obenshane of Rockingham cautioned that an expansive constitutional right could force courts to strike existing parental-involvement measures, citing litigation in other states. Senator Peake (Lynchburg) and Senator Scribe (Eastern Fairfax County) also urged rejection of the floor amendments, arguing that embedding additional specific policy provisions into the constitution was unnecessary.

On the Jordan amendment, which sought to require medical care for an infant born alive after an abortion procedure, proponents framed the change as ensuring basic medical treatment. \"In the event that an infant is born alive after an abortion procedure, this amendment would ensure medical care, basic humanity, and everything that is afforded to anyone of us that are standing here today,\" said Senator Jordan of Isle of Wight. Opponents responded that the conduct addressed by the amendment is already covered in statute and that the amendment’s inclusion in the constitution could produce unintended preemption of existing law.

After debate and the two recorded votes, the Senate clerk recorded the final procedural action that SJR 247 be engrossed and advanced to its 3rd constitutional reading.

Ending note: The measure still must clear the full constitutional amendment process (including subsequent legislative passage and voter approval at referendum) before becoming part of the Virginia Constitution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","January 20, 2025 - Regular Session - 12:00 m.","oneSentenceSummary","Richmond — The Virginia Senate debated and voted down two floor amendments to a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, then advanced the underlying resolution to a third, constitutional reading.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature VA, Virginia","taxId",77687,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379117,"Votes at a glance: Key Senate roll calls Jan. 20, 2025 — pet-shop data, higher-education bonds, counties' supervisor pay, water utilities, school-sales-tax",595,1353000,1948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2136719-f54f6200d07a3896864dd139a8b1cdde&start=1353&end=1948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2136719-f54f6200d07a3896864dd139a8b1cdde/thumbnail_1353000.jpg","/articles/6379117/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-Senate-roll-calls-Jan-20-2025-pet-shop-data-higher-education-bonds-counties-supervisor-pay-water-utilities-school-sales-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379117-9fa42429abb9cb5c33c42a748329272c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771078013&Signature=NhGNWeAekPu5aPAy~CpjS7NVU6N2cOxrfYtplFxWdc2Es7gqTGfx51D8uhhb-UHPQKauE24ZbSPQJ8Xv9W98N1zLIkP3-1hKwax19XQ9Qv0kJNUxYAf9aGFgSlB0QdR-RlDflfjqMmdwk1tpEFfVTmT4SF24NGmiuIkuw6JtzoDyd6yr8vhOg-6pLAGrDZ6dk6K8~KSVCk8pCVzCxpRn7eeh~e7aWKIfli2a9GgO~il8TYhB8C0KgL9tMQA7rSMuHgzojCDQOotUxcMdewgfcfRDE21AUCb6jQe091eLcqc0JvaPX5iZ1VyLEUzclk4PUIn0KPnFn-x~idc7kL0rVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Richmond — The Virginia Senate recorded votes on several bills on Jan. 20, 2025. Below are the measures that received final recorded action on the floor, the outcomes and the key details noted on the floor.

SB 916 — Passed (40–0)
Motion and outcome: Senators approved SB 916 on a recorded vote after discussion that the bill directs the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to convene a work group to evaluate existing data on the sale of dogs and cats by pet shops and identify information pet shops should provide prospective owners. The work group is to report back by Nov. 1, 2025. The clerk recorded the vote: \"It's 40, no 0. The bill passes.\" The Senate subsequently reconsidered and re-recorded passage; the final clerk reading again logged 40–0 in favor.

SB 1121 — Passed (40–0)
Motion and outcome: The Senate passed a higher-education bond bill that the sponsor described as authorizing issuance of bonds in the amount of $206,085,243 plus financing costs pursuant to Article X, Section 9(c) of the Constitution of Virginia to fund revenue-producing capital projects at institutions of higher education. The clerk recorded the vote: \"Ayes 40. Nays 0. The bill passes.\"

SB 762 — Failed (13–23)
Motion and outcome: SB 762, a measure relating to boards of supervisors’ salaries for certain counties, failed under Rule 361; the clerk recorded \"Ayes 13, Noes 23. Rule 361, the bill fails.\" Sponsors said the bill would allow some boards of supervisors to increase pay by population tiers; opponents noted the bill was not necessary for some localities and raised questions about implementation.

SB 850 — Passed (38–2)
Motion and outcome: SB 850, relating to cost-recovery for eligible infrastructure replacement and enhancements by private water and wastewater utilities (limited to safety, reliability, efficiency, or compliance-driven projects), passed on a recorded vote of Ayes 38, Nays 2. Sponsors described the bill as modeled on the 2010 SAVE Act for gas utilities and as a response to an estimated compliance-cost backlog in the hundreds of millions to billions for PFAS and lead-and-copper rules.

SB 1307 — Passed (27–13)
Motion and outcome: SB 1307 expands local option authority for an additional 1% local sales and use tax to support school construction to all localities by referendum; sponsors said the measure is locality-option and would require voter approval before adoption. The clerk recorded \"Ayes 27, Noes 13. The bill passes.\"

Context and next steps: Several other bills were advanced in blocks for engrossment and third reading; some measures were taken \"by for the day\" for additional review. Bills that passed on third reading will now proceed through the regular legislative process and any that carry constitutional provisions will require follow-up steps specified by law.","On Jan. 20 the Virginia Senate recorded final votes on several bills: SB 916 (pet-shop data work group), SB 1121 (higher-education bond issuance), SB 762 (board of supervisors’ salaries), SB 850 (private water utilities cost recovery), and SB 1307 (local sales tax option for school construction). Results and key details are listed below.","actionData","errors"]

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Senate rejects parental-consent and 'live-birth' amendments to reproductive-freedom constitutional resolution

Votes at a glance: Key Senate roll calls Jan. 20, 2025 — pet-shop data, higher-education bonds, counties' supervisor pay, water utilities, school-sales-tax