Senate Bill 780, commonly referred to at the hearing as the Contraceptive Equity Act, was amended on the committee floor and reported with a 9–6 vote to re-refer to the Senate Finance Committee. The bill would enshrine in Virginia law elements of the federal Affordable Care Act’s no–copay contraceptive benefit and clarify coverage, exceptions and effective dates for contracts and renewals.

Senator Carol Foy (patron) presented a line amendment to adjust the effective date language and to add an enactment clause limiting application to contracts issued or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2026. The amendment was adopted by voice vote and supporters described the measure as preserving access to contraceptive care without cost-sharing and removing barriers such as co-pays and prior-authorization delays.

Proponents included reproductive health and advocacy groups and medical associations. “This bill is about increasing Virginia’s health equity by expanding access to reproductive health care options and decreasing cost barriers,” Terina Keen, executive director of Repro Rising Virginia, told the committee. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Progress Virginia, the Virginia Education Association and health plans’ representatives spoke in support.

Opponents included the Family Foundation, the Virginia Catholic Conference, Virginia Society for Human Life and the Virginia Assembly of Independent Baptists. Speakers raised objections including conscience protections for faith-based providers, concerns about certain FDA-listed drugs that they said can act as abortifacients, parental consent for minors and medical oversight for some contraceptive methods. “We believe that this bill is far too broad and fails to address concerns over conscience protections and parental consent for medical decisions affecting minors,” Jessie Blakely with the Family Foundation said.

Doug Gray of the Virginia Association of Health Plans told the committee the measure “reflects the ACA.” Following debate the committee voted 9–6 to report SB 780 to the Senate Finance Committee with the adopted amendment.

The committee’s action preserves further fiscal and policy review in finance; sponsors said the bill had passed both chambers previously in earlier sessions but required updated statutory language and clarifications for exceptions and coverage details.