HB1876: Sterilization operations; for persons 18 years of age or older and capable of informed consent.
HOUSE BILL NO. 1876
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 54.1-2974 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
54.1-2974. Sterilization operations for persons 18 years or older capable of informed consent.
It shall be lawful for any physician licensed by the Board of
Medicine to perform a vasectomy, salpingectomy, or other surgical sexual
sterilization procedure on any person eighteen 18 years of age or older, who has the capacity to give
informed consent, when so requested in writing by such person. Prior to or at
the time of such request, a full, reasonable, and comprehensible medical
explanation as to the meaning and consequences of such an operation and as to
alternative methods of contraception shall be given by the physician to the
person requesting the operation. No such operation
shall be performed prior to thirty days from the date of the written request
therefor upon a person who has not previously become the natural or adoptive
parent of a child.