NORFOLK -- Two bills centered around abortion and conception are in the General Assembly and stirring controversy not just in Virginia but across the nation.
The first requires a woman to have ultrasound before an abortion. The other declares a person's rights start at conception.
With both chambers in Richmond passing versions of each bill and the governor expected to sign them, the next question will be if the measures will be overturned in the courts.
Family law professor Lynne Kohm says other states already have ultrasound and personhood measures, and she thinks passage of both in Virginia is part of trend within constitutional limitations.
"I don't see it not passing constitutional muster. States have the opportunity to restrict abortion based on the welfare and best interest of its citizens as long as that does not present an undue burden to the woman wanting the abortion," said Kohm.
Meantime, the debate is certainly sparking a lot of emotion.
"I think it's definitely a waste of time because I believe in pro-choice," said Darrell Davis. "Because you never know what a situation is that a person is going through."
On Monday, hundreds of people protested in Richmond.
