Virginia Signed Two Contraception Bills. Spanberger Joins 24-State Reproductive Alliance.

Virginia Signs Two Contraception Laws on Dobbs Anniversary Eve

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed the Right-To-Contraception Act and the Contraception Equity Act into law in Lorton on June 17, 2026, and announced she is joining the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a coalition of governors coordinating state-level defenses of reproductive health access. The signing comes four days before the fourth anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of federal abortion protections in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The two new Virginia laws fortify legal access to contraception and expand insurance coverage for family planning. Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News), who carried both bills, has noted that contraception treats conditions beyond pregnancy prevention, including polycystic ovarian syndrome and endometriosis. Price disclosed she uses contraception herself to manage PCOS symptoms.

“important for being able to contend with an ongoing health issue.”

Gov. Abigail Spanberger, describing contraception at the bill signing in Lorton, Virginia, June 17, 2026

The Reproductive Freedom Alliance Now Spans 24 Governors

The Reproductive Freedom Alliance includes California Gov. Gavin Newsom, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, and New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, among 23 total members now joined by Spanberger. The coalition focuses on three shared priorities: supporting state legislation and ballot referendums, defending access to mifepristone against federal and legal challenges, and building state stockpiles of the medication.

Mifepristone, used for medication abortion and miscarriage management, has faced sustained legal challenges from opponents seeking a national ban on mailing the drug. Member states have also enacted shield laws to protect patients’ privacy and expand coverage for over-the-counter contraception.

Virginia Becomes a Regional Hub as Southern States Restrict Access

Virginia is the least restrictive Southern state on abortion, with the procedure legal to varying degrees across all three trimesters. That distinction is drawing patients across state lines.

26%

Share of Blue Ridge Abortion Fund clients who live outside Virginia, up 13 percentage points since 2023, according to fund director April Greene.

Rising fuel prices are increasing the cost burden on those traveling for care, and abortion funds report growing demand for financial assistance. Virginia’s legal landscape makes it a destination even as neighboring states tighten restrictions.

Spanberger’s moves also set the stage for a November 2026 ballot referendum to enshrine reproductive rights directly into Virginia’s state constitution. A yes vote would make those protections harder to roll back through future legislation.

What You Can Do Now

Contact your Virginia state legislators and urge them to campaign actively for the November 2026 reproductive rights ballot referendum. Find your legislator and their contact info at leg1.state.va.us/web-apps/legp604.exe. Tell them you want explicit public support from their office before the vote.
Call your U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121 and tell them to oppose any federal legislation banning the mailing of mifepristone. The Senate has received multiple attempts to restrict mailing of the medication under the Comstock Act. Ask their office directly: “Will the senator oppose any effort to enforce Comstock Act restrictions on mifepristone?”
Donate to the Blue Ridge Abortion Fund at blueridgeabortionfund.org if you are able. More than a quarter of the fund’s clients travel from out of state, and fuel costs are increasing the financial burden on patients. Targeted donations designated for travel assistance fill a documented gap.
If your governor is not in the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, contact their office and ask why. Find your governor’s contact page through nga.org/governors. Ask directly whether they plan to join the coalition and what steps they are taking to protect mifepristone access in your state.