LORTON, VIRGINIA — Governor Abigail Spanberger signed the Right to Contraception Act and the Contraception Equity Act into law at Occoquan Regional Park in Lorton, Virginia. Both pieces of legislation are scheduled to take effect in Virginia on July 1.

The Right to Contraception Act guarantees Virginians the right to access and use birth control, prohibiting state and local governments from restricting access to various contraceptives, including emergency contraception and intrauterine devices. The Contraception Equity Act requires health insurance plans to cover all contraceptives, including some over-the-counter medications, without requiring co-pays.

Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Representative Eugene Vindman, Virginia State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy, Virginia Delegate Marcia Price, and Virginia Delegate Josh Thomas attended the bill signing. Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy sponsored both bills. Former Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed the Right to Contraception Act in both 2024 and 2025. Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi and other supporters delivered petitions with 70,000 signatures to then Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2024.

"Virginia is the only state in the South where a woman has the same freedom to make her own healthcare decisions as she did before the Dobbs decision," Spanberger said. "Today, we are making sure that is not a matter of political circumstance — it is a matter of law." She also said, "When my predecessor vetoed legislation that would have ensured access to health care […] that was denying the will of people, and importantly, endangering the health of women across our commonwealth."

"As soon as the Dobbs decision came down, other forms of medical reproductive healthcare were also at risk," Hashmi said. "This is one more step in Virginia to protect the full spectrum of reproductive care." Voters are expected to consider a constitutional amendment in November that would guarantee abortion rights in Virginia.

"These bills ensure that contraception access is protected and reduce the cost barriers to make it more affordable for all," Foy said. "To have the governor, the first woman governor, sign these bills, it's a historic moment."