REPRO Rising Virginia Celebrates Governor Spanberger’s Actions on Two Contraceptive Rights and Access Bills

STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Date:Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Contact: Chrisi West, Communications Manager, cwest@reprorisingva.org 

Alexandria, Va –REPRO Rising Virginia applauds Governor Abigail Spanberger’s actions to advance birth control rights and access for all Virginians. The Governor had until midnight on Monday night to either sign, amend, or veto legislation the General Assembly passed during the 2026 legislative session. She offered a friendly, technical amendment to the Contraceptive Equity Act (HB1182/SB361) which the General Assembly will vote to either accept or reject during the Reconvened Session on April 22. REPRO Rising Virginia championed this bill the last four years and the previous governor, Glenn Youngkin, vetoed it twice. We believe third times the charm and expect the House and Senate with its’ pro-reproductive freedom majorities will agree to the amendment and send it back to the Governor for signature. 

Another cause to celebrate is that last week, Governor Spanberger signed the Right to Contraception bill (HB6/SB596) into law protecting Virginians’ right to access and use birth control, something the vast majority of Virginians support. This bill was also vetoed twice by then-Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The signing of the Right to Contraception bill last week and with the expected passage of the amended Contraceptive Equity Act next week, Virginians will be one step closer to reproductive freedom. All Virginians will soon be able to procure and use any FDA-approved contraceptive for their specific healthcare needs, including over-the-counter options.  The bills will go into law officially on July 1.  

REPRO Rising Virginia is grateful to the legislators and advocates who helped make this happen. Bringing birth control access without co-pays to more Virginians is an essential first step in the path to true healthcare equity and justice.  

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REPRO Rising Virginia 501(c4) is one of the leading reproductive rights and freedom organizations in the Commonwealth, and the only reproductive rights organization focused solely on policy and political outcomes in Virginia.   

REPRO Rising Virginia is working to ensure that every Virginian has access to the full range of reproductive healthcare and mobilizes its statewide network of more than 50,000 members and activists to educate, advocate, organize, and elect. reproductive rights champions and protect and advance reproductive freedom throughout the Commonwealth.