A contentious hearing in a House subcommittee this week led to this dismissal of a bill that would have severely restricted abortion rights for women in the commonwealth.

The legislation, introduced by Bedford Delegate Timothy Griffin, essentially would have outlawed the practice in any circumstance, unless if necessary to save the life of the mother.

During the House Courts subcommittee hearing on Wednesday, Delegate Marcus Simon had a testy exchange with the bill’s patron.

The eight-lawmaker panel voted unanimously to take no action on the bill.
Virginia is still the only southern state to not change its abortion laws after Roe v. Wade was nullified nearly two years ago.