state laws

“No mother should have to fear dying during or after childbirth, and no family should have to endure the pain of losing a mother to an avoidable death. Today, we are taking decisive action to make sure more women across Virginia can get the care they need at all stages of pregnancy,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate compared to any other high-income country, and we know Black women are at far greater risk than the rest of our neighbors. I am deeply grateful for the years of work by leaders in the General Assembly to address these challenges, and I am proud to sign this legislation into law to protect Virginia mothers.”

“These new laws make sure mothers can get the care they deserve and children have the best start in life,” said Senator L. Louise Lucas, Co-Chair, Virginia Black Maternal Health Caucus. “Too many mothers, especially Black mothers, are facing life-threatening and high-risk childbirth. Virginia’s maternal mortality rate is one of the highest in the nation. By getting this legislation signed inti law, we are fulfilling a moral duty today to protect mothers and their children from harm.”

Colorado Democrats have passed a new law designed to preserve the state’s ban on so-called “conversion therapy” after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the state’s previous attempt to shield young people from the dangerous and discredited practice.

The Colorado General Assembly on Thursday approved HB26-1322, legislation that rewrites the state’s conversion therapy statute in direct response to the Supreme Court’s March ruling in Chiles v. Salazar. The bill now heads to Gov. Jared Polis, a gay Democrat, who is expected to sign it into law.

"The passage of HB26-1322 is a clear statement from Colorado’s Legislature that conversion therapy is dangerous and has lasting negative impacts on those who are exposed to it,” Mardi Moore, chief executive officer of Rocky Mountain Equality, told The Advocate in a statement. “This law keeps the state ban on the practice in place by complying with Chiles v. Salazar to ensure viewpoint neutrality, and gives survivors additional time to hold practitioners who did harm accountable."

Leger Fernández thanked them for allowing lawmakers to name the law after Giuffre, whose posthumous memoir “Nobody’s Girl” details her recruitment at the age of 16 by Epstein collaborator Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as the abuses that followed.

“It’s her courage that we are honoring today with Virginia’s Law,” Leger Fernández said. “Her courage unlocked the first set of gates that were protecting the rich and powerful. This bill will unlock the doors to the courthouse for the survivors. And to every Epstein co conspirator and sexual predator: We’re coming for you.”

Among the most notable measures signed was the Vax Act (HB 637/SB 385), which separates Maryland's vaccine guidance from federal directives. The law grants the Maryland Department of Health Secretary new authority to issue independent recommendations for immunizations, screenings, and preventive health services drawing from trusted medical bodies like the American Academy of Pediatrics rather than defaulting to federal agencies. The move is a direct response to recent federal rollbacks of vaccine recommendations under the current administration.

The Maryland Academy of Family Physicians played a meaningful role in bringing this legislation to life. MDAFP member and past president Dr. Amar Duggirala testified twice in support of the Vax Act before the General Assembly.

State-level voting rights acts were put forth in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. That is not unintentional, said Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values, before the decision.

“If section 2 gets weakened, you’re going to see a shift towards a lot of state-level strategies,” Hardy said. “You’re going to see more localized litigation, deepened investment in on-the-ground organizing. We’re realising that when federal protections are narrowed or become less reliable, which they have, unfortunately, the fight doesn’t stop. It ultimately relocates.

This landmark moment reflects years of tireless advocacy by legislative champions and state advocates, including the incredible work of Repro Rising Virginia and the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. Earlier versions of the bill were passed by the state legislature but vetoed by the previous governor. The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is proud to have provided significant technical assistance throughout this multi-year effort and is ready to work with the state on implementation of the law.