Pro-life legislation in two other areas passed the General Assembly and became law with little or no opposition.

Two important bills concerned “safe haven” for abandoned babies. These bills address the tragic situations where babies have been abandoned to die. They allow a woman in crisis to place her newborn at a safe place without fear of being prosecuted for child abandonment. (Specifically, if a parent voluntarily delivers a child no older than 14 days to a hospital or rescue squad, the bills provide that the parent will have an affirmative defense to prosecution for abuse or neglect, as long as such prosecution is based solely on having left the baby at that facility.)

Bills were introduced by Del. H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) in the House and Sen. Ken Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) in the Senate. The final bills from the joint conference committee were passed on February 22 with no opposition, although there was minor opposition at first. The Senate bill, SB 1151, was reported out of the Courts of Justice committee on an 11-2 vote, with Senators Edwards and Marsh voting against it and Senators Lucas and Saslaw abstaining. The Senate floor vote passing the bill was, however, unanimous. The House bill, HB 2447, passed on a 92-6 vote, with Delegates Brink, Crittendon, Darner, Hurt, McQuigg and Watts voting negatively. However, they all supported the legislation on final passage, as noted above.

Governor Warner signed the bills on March 22, 2003.

The other uncontroversial bill was HB 1833, introduced by Del. Gary Reese (R-Oak Hill), to enhance the wording of the informed consent legislation passed in 2001 (see the Lifesaver, April 2001). The bill clarifies that the written materials required to be offered to a woman must be provided “in a respectful and understandable manner, without prejudice and intended to give the woman the opportunity to make an informed choice.” The bill also requires that adoption be presented “as a positive alternative,” and that information be made available “on counseling services, benefits, financial assistance, medical care and contact persons or groups.” The bill was not controversial and passed both the House and the Senate without opposition.

Governor Warner signed this bill on March 24, 2003.

Published in VSHL Lifesaver, April 2003