Today, the Virginia Senate passed a bill that would make it a felony to kill an infant who is in the process of being born. The Partial-Birth Infanticide bill, SB 1205, introduced by Sen. Steve Newman (R-Lynchburg) passed 27 to 12. Its companion house bill, HB 1541 sponsored by Del. Robert Marshall (R-Manassas) and Del. Robert McDonnell (R-Virginia Beach), passed the House of Delegates 71 to 26 on Saturday, February 1.

The Partial-Birth Infanticide bill would make it a crime to kill a human infant who has been born but who is not yet completely expelled from the mother. "This bill draws the line at where abortion ends and infanticide begins," stated Brenda Fastabend, President of the Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL). "The constitutional 'right' to abortion does not encompass killing a child who has been born."

The senate bill requiring parental consent prior to a minor's abortion, SB 1124 sponsored by Sen. Kenneth Stolle (R-Virginia Beach), passed 27 to 11. The legislation would amend the current parental notification law.

"The parental consent legislation closes a major loophole in the current law where girls have been presenting written statements purporting to be signed by the parent," states Mrs. Fastabend. "The requirement for notarization of the parent's signature prevents unauthorized abortions on young girls and strengthens the protection of the pregnant minor and the family unit. That's what the law was originally intended to do."

The Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL) is the nation's oldest statewide pro-life organization and an affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee.