Building on prior progress in addressing maternal health-care disparities and increasing support for new parents, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed a slate of bills that have been part of the ongoing “Momnibus” package on April 22, 2026.

The move came just ahead of an annual Virginia March for Life rally around Capitol Square, where more than a thousand exhibited their support for anti-abortion legislation.

Both events tee up a reproductive rights fight later in the year as Virginians statewide can decide whether or not to enshrine abortion, contraception and fertility treatment access into the state’s constitution in November.

As she cradled two-month-old Breydan Patterson, Spanberger signed bills to boost maternal health data collection, support mental health screenings of new parents, and remote monitoring devices for high-risk patients.

Alexis Patterson, Breydan’s mother and a doula with Birth in Color, said she was thrilled that her youngest son had the chance to be part of a historic moment.

“I’m excited to see the rest of the Momnibus bills be signed, not just as a doula, but as someone who has needed some of these services,” she said.

She said her mental health took a dip in past pregnancies and she relied on support from others to get through a rough postpartum period. Some parents experience depression during the massive hormone fluctuations of pregnancy and postpartum recovery, which one of the bills the governor signed into law was designed to address.

House Bill 1400 by Del. Magaret Franklin will now require health insurance carriers to provide coverage for maternal mental health screenings.

HB 1403, also by Franklin, renames........

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