The Virginia General Assembly passed a final version of a bill that will abolish the death penalty in the state Feb. 22.
The Senate voted 22-16 to pass the death penalty abolition bill and the House of Delegates voted 57-43 to approve the identical bill, according to the advocacy group Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. There is expected to be a public signing ceremony with Gov. Ralph Northam in April.
An earlier version of the bill passed both chambers in early February.
Legislation that would expand abortion coverage in Virginia’s health exchange also is likely to be signed by Northam, who supports legal abortion.
The Virginia House of Delegates passed the bill allowing tax-funded abortion for any reason in Virginia’s health exchange Jan. 26. The Senate OK’d the measure Jan. 22, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Read More