Virginia Society for Human Life praises the decision of the Senate to pass the Woman's Right to Know - Informed Consent legislation, patroned by Senator J. Randy Forbes (R) Chesapeake. This legislation would ensure that all women in the Commonwealth receive basic information prior to making the irrevocable decision of abortion.

The office of Senator J. Randy Forbes has been deluged with over 23,000 letters and petitions from Virginia citizens expressing their support for this legislation.

"Virginians recognize that no woman can make an informed choice in an informational void," stated Louise D. Hartz, VSHL President. "This Woman's Right to Know bill will empower all women in the Commonwealth who are considering abortion with the information they need to make an informed choice," continued Louise D. Hartz.

Virginia's current informed consent law for abortion states that the abortionist inform the woman of risks, "if any" of the abortion. To allow the abortionist, who has a financial interest at stake, sole discretion about what information to provide violates common sense.

The Supreme Court of the United States has upheld the Woman's Right to Know legislation with a twenty-four hour reflection period as constitutional. Fifteen states have passed informed consent laws similar to the one being proposed in Virginia.

The Virginia Society for Human Life is the state affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.