IN THE UNITED STATES UNTIL the mid-nineteen-sixties, Virginia and all states with few exceptions prohibited abortion unless the mother's life was endangered.

Society as a whole regarded abortion as an abhorrence. morally and legally. Even the word, abortion, was unmentionable, so evil and alien it was to the innate dignity and sanctity of human life. No matter society's other failings, the innocent, helpless babe awaiting birth was the most inviolable life of all.
Into this atmosphere, a concerted thrust for radical change was made by dissident elements in the fields of law, medicine, public health and eugenics.

In 1962, the American Law Institute proposed "liberalizing" (i.e., weakening) state abortion laws. Abortion- friendly state legislators were found in various states to sponsor an ALI type bill. In 1966, Colorado became the first state to "liberalize" its abortion law. Also in 1966, a prominent state public health official initiated the first public salvo to expand legal abortion in Virginia.

The year following, 1967, seeing the handwriting on the wall, a handful of concerned citizens founded the Virginia Society for Human Life to defend Virginia's law. It became the first state right to life organization in the country.

However, in 1970, after failing two years earlier, the pro-abortion forces succeeded in changing Virginia's law to permit abortion in case of rape or incest, if a child might be born with a defect, and for reasons affecting the mental or physical health of the mother. By 1972, a total of 17 states had similarly weakened their abortion laws. But now the tide had turned and no additional state changed its law prohibiting abortion.

The abortion lobby then turned to the courts to overturn state abortion laws. This move led to the 1973 Supreme Court legalization of what is tantamount to abortion on demand for the full nine months of pregnancy, an action so radical as to astonish even the most strident abortion extremist. The action in effect invalidated all laws prohibiting abortion in the 33 states that had never liberalized their laws as well as any restrictions still remaining in the 17 states that had changed their laws.

While shocking, the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton rulings galvanized pro-life forces and led to rapid growth in the movement.

VSHL expanded its mission, program, organization and membership. Goals included restoration of the protection of the life of the unborn child in law and public policy and now also covered issues of infanticide, euthanasia, and human experimentation, companion issues propelled into ugly reality by the legalization of abortion.

In additional action, VSHL joined statewide pro-life organizations in other states to form the National Right to Life Committee. Based in Washington, D.C., NRLC is the largest grassroots right to life organization in the country. VSHL is NRLC's state affiliate in Virginia.

Many VSHL members work individually or in groups to serve girls and women involved in problem pregnancies and to alleviate other challenges to the human family that occur throughout life - illness, disability, dependency and poverty.

VSHL pursues its goals through educational, legislative and political action. Speakers, literature and videos are available upon request form VSHL headquarters in Richmond and from the 37 chapters around the state, A bi-monthly newsletter, "the Lifesaver," is mailed to members, and an annual conference is held in the spring. 

  Abortion Facility Regulations Approved

       Virginia Society for Human Life is pleased that the Virginia Board of Health voted Thursday in a vote of 12-1 to uphold new common sense regulations on first trimester abortion facilities in the Commonwealth.

 These regulations will go a long way to reigning in unscrupulous abortionists in Virginia," said Olivia L. Gans, President of VSHL. "Abortion always ends the life of an unborn child and places the mother of that baby at great risk of future health problems. We are hopeful that more protective measures for both mother and child will be passed in the near future."

 Over 1100 public comment-mails were received by the Board of Health, of which 646  were in support of the proposed emergency regulations that had been called for by the Virginia General Assembly and Pro-life Governor Bob McDonnell.  Your voice was heard!

 These approved emergency regulations will now go to the Attorney General  Ken Cuccinelli, the Department of Planning and Budget, the Department of Planning and Budget, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the Governor for final review.  The regulations will go into effect January 1, 2012 for one year and the Governor has the option to extend them for an additional six months.    After the emergency regulations go into effect the process of creating permanent regulations will commence.

 

Amendment to prevent abortion funding in health care exchanges

April 6, 2011, RICHMOND, Virginia

Today the members of the General Assembly voted to support an important amendment sent down from the Governor regarding abortion funding in the health care exchange to be offered in Virginia under the new Federal "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act".

 

The amendment would prohibit the funding of abortion through the exchanges except to save the life of the mother and because of rape or incest as proscribed by existing federal law.

 

Virginia Society for Human Life is pleased that our pro-life Governor, Bob McDonnell and the members of the General Assembly that voted for this amendment have recognized what most Virginians agree on regarding abortion funding. Most Americans and Virginians do not want to see their own money used to fund abortion in any way.  This effort, on the part of Governor Bob McDonnell, clearly reflects his intention to respect the will of the majority of Virginians on these critical life and death issues.

 

Founded in 1967, the Virginia Society for Human Life is the oldest state pro-life organization in the nation with chapters throughout the Commonwealth.  It is the Virginia state affiliate to the National Right to Life Committee 

 

APRIL 22, 2010, RICHMOND, Virginia

During yesterday’s veto session at the General Assembly,  the Governor’s pro-life budget amendment which was an attempt to begin to bring Virginia more in line with the Hyde Amendment and federal law was passed by the Senate. 

 

A hard won victory for pro-lifers, it passed the Senate on a vote of 20-19 late last night.

 

VSHL is grateful to Governor Bob McDonnell for his efforts to bring Virginia more closely in line with federal law that requires Virginia to pay for Medicaid abortions in cases of rape and incest and life of the mother. This amendment also brings Virginia in line with 34 other states that follow fellow federal law regarding abortions paid for by Medicaid funds.

 

Unfortunately the Governor’s amendment  was unable to prevent paying for abortions in the case of “gross or severe fetal abnormality” as required under a pre-existing Virginia statute.

 

“The Governor’s amendment clearly respects the wishes of Virginians regarding the use of their tax dollars to pay for abortion.” stated Olivia Gans, President of Virginia Society for Human Life.  “It is indeed heartening to all who value the dignity and worth of every human life. “

 

Founded in 1967, the Virginia Society for Human Life is the oldest state pro-life organization in the nation with chapters throughout the Commonwealth.  It is the Virginia state affiliate to the National Right to Life Committee

For immediate release: April 22,2010

For more information, contact:  Olivia L. Gans, Margaret H. Disney, 804-560-8745

Summarized Listing from 1979 through 2007:

 

1979

 

Consent for Abortions                       

SB927                                     Sponsor Senator Joseph V. Gartlan

                                                Signed into law March 15, 1979

by Governor John N. Dalton

 

1997

 

Parental Notification:

 SB1148  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=971&typ=bil&val=sb1148

                                                Sponsor Senator Mark L. Earley

                                                Enrolled 3.04.97                                            

Approved by Governor George Allen and in effect 7.01.97

Assisted Suicide Ban: 

SB788  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?971+sum+SB788

                                                Sponsor Senator Mark L. Earley

                                                Enrolled 3.04.07

Approved by Governor George Allen and in effect 7.01.98

                                               

1998

 

Assisted Suicide Ban (reenactment):

HB1378  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=981&typ=bil&val=hb1378

                                                Sponsor Delegate Robert F. McDonnell

                                                Enrolled 4.06.98                                            

Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore and in effect 7.01.98

 

Partial-Birth Abortion Ban: 

HB1154 *  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=981&typ=bil&val=hb1154                        

                                                Sponsor Delegate Roger J. McClure

                                                Enrolled 4.06.98

Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore 7.01.98

SB552 *  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=981&typ=bil&val=sb552                             

                                                Sponsors Senators Stephen D. Newman

                                                and L. Louise Lucas

                                                Enrolled 4.06.98

                                                Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore 7.01.98

* Not in effect

 

2000

 

Health Care Decisions (PAPA):   

SB677  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=001&typ=bil&val=sb677

                                                Sponsor Senator J. Randy Forbes

                                                Enrolled 3.16.00

Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore and in effect 7.01.00

HB1367   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=001&typ=bil&val=hb1367                           

                                                Sponsor Delegate H. Morgan Griffith

                                                Enrolled 3.22.00

Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore and in effect 7.01.00

 

2001

 

Informed Consent:

SB1211  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=011&typ=bil&val=sb1211                             

                                                Sponsor Senator J. Randy Forbes

Enrolled 3.02.01

Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore 7.01.01

In effect 10.01.01

HB2570   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=011&typ=bil&val=hb2570                           

                                                Sponsor Delegate Robert F. McDonnell

                                                Enrolled 3.02.01

                                                Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore 7.01.01

                                                In effect 10.01.01

Human Cloning Ban:

SB1305  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=011&typ=bil&val=sb1305                                                            Sponsor Senator Stephen D. Newman

                                                Enrolled 3.03.01

                                                Approved by Governor Jim Gilmore and in effect 7.01.01

 

 

 

 

2003

 

Parental Consent:

SB1124  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=sb1205                             

                                                Sponsor Senator Kenneth W. Stolle

                                                Governor: Acts of Assembly 4.03.03

In effect 7.01.03 

 

HB1402   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=hb1402                           

                                                Sponsor Delegate Richard H. Black

                                                Governor: Acts of Assembly 4.03.03                                    

In effect 7.01.03

 

Partial Birth Infanticide Ban:

SB1205 *  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=sb1205                          

                                                Sponsor Senator Stephen D. Newman

                                                Governor: Acts of Assembly 4.03.03                                    

In effect 7.01.03

HB1541 *  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=hb1541                        

                                                Sponsor Delegate Robert G. Marshall

                                                Governor: Acts of Assembly 4.03.03

In  effect 7.01.03

 

Protection of Infants (Safe Haven):

SB1151   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=sb1151                            

                                                Sponsor Senator Kenneth W. Stolle

                                                Approved by Governor Mark Warner 3.22.03

In effect 7.01.03

HB2447  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=031&typ=bil&val=hb2447                           

                                                Sponsor Delegate H. Morgan Griffith

                                                Approved by the Governor Mark Warner 3.22.03.

In effect 7.01.03

 

* Not in effect

 

2004

 

Feticide-Unborn Victims of Violence Act

SB319 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=041&typ=bil&val=sb319                                

                                                Sponsor Senator Kenneth W. Stolle

                                                Approved by Governor Mark Warner 5.24.04

                                                In Effect 7.01.04

HB1  http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=041&typ=bil&val=hb1                           

                                                Sponsor Delegate John A. Cosgrove

                                                Approved by Governor Mark Warner 5.24.04

                                                In effect 7.01.04

2005

 

Stem Cell Research

SB1194   http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=051&typ=bil&val=sb1194

                                                            Sponsor Sen. H. Russell Potts, Jr.

                                                            Approved by Governor Mark Warner 3.23.05

                                                            In effect 7.1.05

 

VSHL opposed the bill as introduced because it allowed state

and private monies to be used for embryonic stem cell research (ESCR). 

 

Following passage of the amendment below* by the Senate, VSHL withdrew its

opposition.                             

 

* No moneys from the Fund may be provided to any entity that conducts

human stem cell research from stem cells obtained from human embryos, or for conducting such research; however, research conducted using stem cells other than embryonic stem cells may be funded.

                                                            Senator Ken L Cuccinelli, II

                                                            Submitted Amendment 2.08.05

 

HJ588 Stem cell research; joint subcommittee to study medical, ethical, & scientific issues relating to stem cell research conducted in the Commonwealth.

 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?051+sum+HJ588

                                                            Sponsor Del Robert G. Marshall

                                                            Passed House and Senate (HJ588ER)

 

2006

 

Cord Blood Bank

HB413 http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=061&typ=bil&val=hb413

                                                            Sponsor Robert G. Marshall

                                                            Approved by Governor Tim Kaine 4.05.06

                                                            In effect 7.1.06

                       

2007

 

Stem Cell Research, Jt. Sub. Studying Medical, Ethical, & Scientific Issues Relating to; continued.                                             

HJ 584    

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+sum+HJ584

Sponsor Del Robert G. Marshall

Passed House and Senate (HJ584ER)