I am opposed to SB449. The bill mentions the Commonwealth cannot prohibit an abortion until the third trimester and at that point the Commonwealth cannot prohibit an abortion when the mother's life or mental or physical health is in jeopardy or when a physician states the fetus is not viable. I would like to remind supporters of this bill that infants are generally considered viable outside the womb at around 22 to 24 weeks of gestation and that the third trimester begins at week 29 of pregnancy. If the mother does not want to have the baby, but the baby is viable outside of the womb, then doesn't it make sense for the mother to make a decision before the baby could survive outside of the womb with medical assistance? For comparison, most European countries limit abortions to the first 12-14 weeks. The UK is an exception with abortions up to 24 weeks, but that is rare. It should also be noted that many women who elect to have an abortion later suffer from mental or emotional distress. In some cases women who have an abortion suffer physically and it's been noted that women who have multiple abortions are at a greater risk for Asherman's Syndrome and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. I am sure many of the proponents of this bill mean well and want pregnant women to have options in case of unplanned or unexpected pregnancies. Virginia law currently allows women to pursue abortions in case of rape, incest, or danger to the health of the mother. I believe utilizing abortion as an option outside of those instances, essentially as a form of birth control, is a dangerous option and that it will ultimately hurt many more women then it will help. If we truly want to take care of women, then we should focus on legislation that prevents women from being put in a position where they have to choose an abortion. We should focus on legislation that prevents rape & any form of sexual assault or sexual harassment and makes it easier for women to hold male perpetrators accountable. We should focus on developing legislation that makes it easier for mothers to obtain child support from dead beat dads. We should focus on legislation that facilitates communities helping out economically disadvantaged families, single mothers, and single fathers. The intentions of this bill may be benevolent, but the realization of this bill will harm many more people than it could possibly ever help. I ask that the representatives in the Virginia General Assembly vote "No' on SB 449 and its "companion bill" HB 781.

I am opposed to any all bill that make it easier to cheat in elections like these bills being presented. I am opposed to any and all bills that make same sex marriage acceptable. I am opposed to any and all bills that allow full term abortion and allow minors to have abortions with out the parents knowledge. I am opposed to any and all bills that would allow minors to undergo transgender surgery . I am opposed to any and all bills that will raise taxes while the politicians are trying to give themselves a 150% increase no that is not acceptable.

Delegates, I write in opposition to SJ1 and SB449. Both bills are an example of political posturing at the expense of the safety and well being of women seeking medical care when pregnant. SJ 1 is so broadly written it will remove all reasonable authority of elected officials to ensure that women are receiving care from licensed individual and properly trained medical staff. It also removes legitimate responsibility from law makers to safe guard the rights of doctors and nurses from being obliged to participate in abortion activity. SJ1 is bad law. SB 449 Is an obviously manipulation of exactly what SJ1 will do. It is deceptive and confusing for the public who don't understand how sweeping the effect of SJ1 will be. It is deeply troubling that this misleading language has been proposed for the ballot this November. Please oppose both bills.