{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/18.2-76.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/18.2-76.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/18.2-76.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/18.2-76.1.html"}],"law_id":351175,"edition_id":2,"section_id":351175,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.1","catch_line":"Encouraging or promoting abortion","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-63; 1960, c. 358; 1972, c. 725; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","full_text":"If any person, by publication, lecture, advertisement, or by the sale or circulation of any publication, or through the use of a referral agency for profit, or in any other manner, encourage or promote the performing of an abortion or the inducing of a miscarriage in this Commonwealth which is prohibited under this article, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1307847,"text":"If any person, by publication, lecture, advertisement, or by the sale or circulation of any publication, or through the use of a referral agency for profit, or in any other manner, encourage or promote the performing of an abortion or the inducing of a miscarriage in this Commonwealth which is prohibited under this article, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":50223,"edition_id":2,"name":"Abortion","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":11,"parent_id":50171,"metadata":{"child_laws":11,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:24:55","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:17","permalink":{"id":1392255,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50223,"identifier":"9","token":"18.2\/4\/9","url":"\/18.2\/4\/9\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50171,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes Against the Person","identifier":"4","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":4,"parent_id":50131,"metadata":{"child_laws":128,"child_structures":11},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:23:51","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:16","permalink":{"id":1391765,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50171,"identifier":"4","token":"18.2\/4","url":"\/18.2\/4\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":50131,"edition_id":2,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":52,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":960,"child_structures":94},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:22:59","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:30:15","permalink":{"id":1391141,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":50131,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":351168,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71","catch_line":"Producing abortion or miscarriage, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-71\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71","metadata":false},{"id":351167,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-71.1","catch_line":"Partial birth infanticide; penalty","url":"\/18.2-71.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-71.1","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"570 F.3d 165","date":"2009-06-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1029238\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. OPINION .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"1":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Herring","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"527 F.3d 128","date":"2008-05-20","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1025760\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-herring\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"2":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"CIV.A.03CV531","citation":"301 F. Supp. 2d 499","date":"2004-02-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2511465\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 301 F.Supp.2d 499 (2004) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"3":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"Nos. 03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/8439004\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. NIEMEYER, Circuit Judge, .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"4":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center for Women v. Hicks","case_number":"03-1821, 04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/2968133\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Affirmed by published opinion. Judge MICHAEL wrote the majority opinion, in which Judge MOTZ joined. .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"5":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"422 F.3d 160","date":"2005-09-02","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/791784\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 422 F.3d 160 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"},"6":{"name":"Richmond Medical Center For Women v. Hicks","case_number":"04-1255","citation":"409 F.3d 619","date":"2005-06-03","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/790414\/richmond-medical-center-for-women-v-hicks\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 409 F.3d 619 .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit"}}}},{"id":351169,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-72","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during first trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-72\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-72","metadata":false},{"id":351170,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-73","catch_line":"When abortion lawful during second trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-73\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-73","metadata":false},{"id":351173,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74","catch_line":"When abortion or termination of pregnancy lawful after second trimester of pregnancy","url":"\/18.2-74\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74","metadata":false},{"id":351171,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74.1","catch_line":"Abortion, etc., when necessary to save life of woman","url":"\/18.2-74.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74.1","metadata":false},{"id":351172,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-74.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-74.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-74.2","metadata":false},{"id":351174,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-75","catch_line":"Conscience clause","url":"\/18.2-75\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-75","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Michael v. Sentara Health System","case_number":"Civil Action 2:96cv321","citation":"939 F. Supp. 1220","date":"1996-10-07","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1511225\/michael-v-sentara-health-system\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 939 F.Supp. 1220 (1996) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Simopoulos v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 801107","citation":"277 S.E.2d 194","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309503\/simopoulos-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 194 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351177,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76","catch_line":"Informed written consent required","url":"\/18.2-76\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Falls Church Med. Ctr., LLC v. Oliver","case_number":"Civil Action No. 3:18cv428\u2013HEH","citation":"346 F. Supp. 3d 816","date":"2018-09-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7333101\/falls-church-med-ctr-llc-v-oliver\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Henry E. Hudson, Senior United States District Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Simopoulos v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 801107","citation":"277 S.E.2d 194","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309503\/simopoulos-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 194 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},{"id":351175,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.1","catch_line":"Encouraging or promoting abortion","url":"\/18.2-76.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.1","metadata":false},{"id":351176,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-76.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":351177,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76","catch_line":"Informed written consent required","url":"\/18.2-76\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76","metadata":{"court_decisions":{"0":{"name":"Falls Church Med. Ctr., LLC v. Oliver","case_number":"Civil Action No. 3:18cv428\u2013HEH","citation":"346 F. Supp. 3d 816","date":"2018-09-26","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/7333101\/falls-church-med-ctr-llc-v-oliver\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. Henry E. Hudson, Senior United States District Judge .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"District Court, E.D. Virginia"},"1":{"name":"Simopoulos v. Commonwealth","case_number":"Record 801107","citation":"277 S.E.2d 194","date":"1981-04-24","url":"https:\/\/www.courtlistener.com\/opinion\/1309503\/simopoulos-v-commonwealth\/","abstract":" .\u202f.\u202f. 277 S.E.2d 194 (1981) .\u202f.\u202f. ","court_html":"<abbr title=\"Supreme Court of Virginia\">SCV<\/abbr>"}}}},"next_section":{"id":351176,"structure_id":50223,"section_number":"18.2-76.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-76.2\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.2","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-76.1\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1972, chapter 725; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1392293,"object_type":"law","relational_id":351175,"identifier":"18.2-76.1","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.1","url":"\/18.2-76.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-76.1\/","token":"18.2\/4\/9\/18.2-76.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Encouraging or promoting abortion","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-76.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If any person, by publication, lecture, advertisement, or by the sale or circulation of any publication, or through the use of a referral agency for profit, or in any other manner, encourage or promote the performing of an abortion or the inducing of a miscarriage in this Commonwealth which is prohibited under this article, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nENCOURAGING OR PROMOTING ABORTION (\u00a7 18.2-76.1)\n\nIf any person, by publication, lecture, advertisement, or by the sale or\ncirculation of any publication, or through the use of a referral agency for\nprofit, or in any other manner, encourage or promote the performing of an\nabortion or the inducing of a miscarriage in this Commonwealth which is\nprohibited under this article, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-63; 1960, c. 358; 1972, c. 725; 1975, cc. 14, 15.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}