2/8/26 UPDATE: SB 173 has passed out of committee and could be up for a vote in the full Senate as early as Tuesday, 2/11/26.
SB 173 seeks to ban “abortifacients” and prohibit healthcare professionals from prescribing them in WV for West Virginians. It could also ban access to certain contraceptives. The League of Women Voters opposes restrictions on reproductive freedom.
Anti-abortion bills serve a political agenda, not West Virginians.
ACTION: Contact your Senator* and urge them to vote NO on SB 173.
MAKE SOME NOISE! OPPOSE SB 173 in Senate Judiciary
SB 173 seeks to ban “abortifacients” and prohibit healthcare professionals from prescribing them in WV for West Virginians. It also prohibits various ways of sending or delivering the drugs in WV.
Abortifacients are FDA-approved medications used to terminate early-stage pregnancy. About half of all abortions in the U.S. rely on these drugs.
Since 2022, WV has lived under a near-total abortion ban. SB 173 is another attempt to further restrict abortion in WV.
Mifepristone and misoprostol, used in combination, are the most commonly used drugs to end pregnancy. They were initially approved as safe & effective by the FDA 25 years ago. Since then, the FDA has reduced restrictions on access as evidence of safety grew.
This Legislature is saying it knows better than the FDA. The FDA relies on science. SB 173 does not.
WHAT’S NEXT?
SB 173 committee substitute passed out of Senate Health & Human Resources Committee on Feb 3. Now, the bill has gone to Senate Judiciary.
MAKE SOME NOISE by contacting Senators on Judiciary ASAP …
Contact Legislators using our Bill Tracker — it’s easy!
https://fastdemocracy.com/bill/wv/2026/bills/WVB00031501/?report-bill-view=1
Full Senate Judiciary roster:
https://www.wvlegislature.gov/committees/senate/SenateCommittee.cfm?Chart=jud
*If you’re not sure who your Senators are, enter your home address at https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/ and click on your Senators to find their contact information.