Action Center

Descriptions of Legislation

Life

Protecting Life at Conception: The VCC supported legislation to affirm that life begins at conception and to prohibit abortion except in cases of danger to the life of the mother, rape or incest. A Senate committee rejected this measure. (See Senate Education & Health Committee chart.)
Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn: Currently, Virginia allows abortions at all stages of pregnancy. The VCC-supported Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would have prevented most abortions when unborn children are able to feel pain. A Senate committee rejected this bill. (See Senate Education & Health Committee chart.)
Opposing “Right to Abortion”: A VCC-opposed resolution to enshrine a “right to abortion” in Virginia’s constitution passed the Senate (see Senate chart) but was defeated in a House subcommittee. Protecting Babies Born Alive: A VCC-supported measure to protect babies born alive after an attempted abortion passed the House but was defeated in a Senate committee. (See House chart and Senate Education & Health Committee chart.)
Strengthening Informed Consent: VCC-supported legislation to require physicians to provide pregnant women who are considering abortion information about alternatives and available resources passed the House but was defeated in a Senate committee. (See House chart and Senate Education & Health Committee chart.)
Helping Pregnant Women: A VCC-supported bill to establish a website that would provide pregnant women access to information about life-affirming assistance passed the House (see House chart) but was defeated in a Senate committee.
Rejecting Abortion Expansion in Budget: A proposed amendment sought to establish a “fundamental right” to “terminate a pregnancy” within the state budget. Opposed by the VCC, the budget amendment was rejected in a House floor vote. (See House chart.)
Hyde Amendment: Gov. Youngkin introduced a VCC-supported budget amendment seeking to adopt the Hyde Amendment in the state budget. This essential provision would stop the funding of abortions with state taxpayers’ money to the fullest extent possible under federal law. The House voted in favor of the budget amendment. (See House chart.) Because the General Assembly adjourned without completing its work on budget amendments, the Hyde Amendment issue has not been finally resolved as of the date of this report.
Opposing Assisted Suicide: For the fourth time in five years, legislation was introduced to legalize assisted suicide. A Senate committee rejected this VCC-opposed bill. (See Senate chart.)

Religious Freedom

Opposing Contraceptive Mandate: VCC-opposed legislation would have required health plans to cover all drugs the FDA defines as contraceptives, including some drugs that can cause abortions. It passed the Senate (see Senate chart) but was defeated in a House subcommittee.
Improving Clergy Access at Hospitals: The House passed a VCC-supported bill to strengthen Virginia’s law regarding patient access to clergy visits at hospitals and other facilities during public health emergencies. A Senate committee, however, rejected the legislation. (See Senate and House charts.)

Families and Children

Protecting Marriage: Virginia’s constitution defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman – a definition approved by Virginia voters in November 2006. A VCC-opposed resolution to remove this provision from Virginia’s constitution passed the Senate (see Senate chart) but was defeated in a House subcommittee.
Strengthening School Choice: VCC-supported legislation to make several improvements to the Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program passed the House. A Senate committee, however, rejected the legislation. (See Senate and House charts.)
Opposing Marijuana Commercialization: Although Virginia enacted legislation in 2021 to legalize marijuana possession and home cultivation, legislation to allow the sale of marijuana – including high-potency THC – in “pot shops” was defeated for the second straight year. While the Senate passed the measure (see Senate chart), a House subcommittee rejected it. Hence, sales remain illegal. The VCC opposes commercialization because of the severe risks to children, health and public safety.
Protecting Kids from THC: Gaps in federal and state law have contributed to a high potency THC “copycat” market in Virginia. Many edible products (e.g., Delta-8 gummies) land in the hands of children, resulting in calls to poison control centers and hospitalizations – often involving toddlers. The VCC supported a bill to ban these products – none of which are FDA-approved. The measure failed in a House committee on a tie vote. (See House chart.) However, separate legislation to regulate these substances did pass the General Assembly.

Social and Economic Concerns

Restoring Voting Rights: A VCC-supported resolution to restore voting rights to persons convicted of a felony once they have completed their sentences passed the Senate (see Senate chart) but was defeated in a House subcommittee.
Limiting Isolated Confinement: The Senate passed a VCC-supported bill to limit isolated confinement in prisons. (See Senate chart.) The House also passed a similar measure unanimously.
Reducing Drug Costs: A VCC-supported proposal to establish a framework to make especially expensive prescription drugs more affordable passed the Senate (see Senate chart) but was defeated in a House subcommittee.

Learn More About the Virginia Catholic Conference!

What We Do

Led by Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout, the Conference advocates for:

Respect life initiatives that protect human life and dignity in every stage of development and circumstance, from conception until natural death.

Social justice initiatives that protect the rights and serve the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable members of the human family, including children, the elderly, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees.

Family life and education initiatives that preserve and support religious liberty, the institution of marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the family and parental choice in their children’s education.

How We Do It

The Conference advocates by:

Building and maintaining relationships with state and federal lawmakers, as well as other advocacy organizations with shared interests.

Supporting diocesan efforts by providing resources that apply Church teaching to current issues.

Promoting grassroots and grasstops advocacy among Catholics and other people of goodwill. This includes using the VCC email advocacy network and in-person advocacy, such as visits to legislators’ district or capital city offices.

Communicating regularly with parishes and Catholic entities, as well as Catholic and secular print, electronic and social media.

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