Contraception rights legislation by Carroll Foy passes Virginia House and Senate

The Bill introduced by state Sen. Jennifer D. Carroll Foy has been approved, designed to ensure broad access to contraception and block government restrictions, alongside the legislative effort to uphold reproductive rights, according to the Virginia State Senate.

The measure secured passage in both chambers and was formally enrolled as of March 30, 2026, receiving 65-33 approval in the House and 24-15 votes in the Senate.

Introduced as SB596 on Jan. 14, 2026, during the session, the legislature described the bill as: “Contraception; definitions, establishes right to obtain, applicability, enforcement.”

Outlined below is a summary based on the bill text for added clarity.

The legislation affirms a statutory right for individuals to access and use contraception, as well as for health providers to offer contraceptives and relevant information. It prohibits any state or local policy that bans, limits or creates barriers to sale, provision, procurement, or use of FDA-approved contraceptives, or aiding another in accessing them, except under strict exceptions for safety or equal regulation with similar products. The bill allows the attorney general, concerned individuals, organizations, and health providers to file civil actions, which mandates courts overturn noncompliant laws and grant necessary injunctions and relief as appropriate.

On the House floor, 64 Democrats and one Republican supported the bill, versus 33 Republicans in opposition.

Within the Senate, support consisted of 21 Democrats and three Republicans, while 15 Republicans were opposed.

The primary sponsors were Sen. Jennifer D. Carroll Foy (Democrat-33rd District), Sen. Barbara A. Favola (Democrat-40th District), and Sen. Jeremy S. McPike (Democrat-29th District), along with one additional sponsor.

Carroll Foy received a BA from Virginia Military Institute in 2003 and earned a JD from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2010.

Carroll Foy, a Democrat, assumed her post for the 33rd Senate district in 2024, succeeding Jennifer Boysko as state senator.

Virginia’s law-making process starts when a bill is filed in either the House of Delegates or Senate. The bill is sent to committee for review and potential amendments, then advances to be debated and voted on by both chambers. Once both approve, it heads to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Each regular legislative session opens the second Monday of January, with lawmakers introducing hundreds of bills. Only a share officially become Virginia law.

Details in this report are sourced from the Virginia State Senate. Source data can be accessed here.