Legislative Survey Results

VWAA's current legislative positions were adopted by the Board after the Legislative Committee surveyed our members (other than judges) to determine their views about what issues should be addressed and what position should be taken by the VWAA on those issues. The VWAA's legislative positions reflect only positions in which there was a strong membership consensus in favor of taking a particular position. There were 152 responses to the survey. The results are set out below.

  1. Should the VWAA take positions on legislation affecting reproductive rights?

    YES

    58.6%

    NO

    36.8%

    NO OPINION/NEUTRAL

    4.6%
  2. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation supporting availability of contraceptive products (non-abortifacients)?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    47%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    12.6%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    1.3%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    34.4%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    6.6%
  3. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation repealing mandatory ultrasound prior to abortion?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    43.4%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    4%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    8.6%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    1.3%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    36.4%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    6%
  4. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation (other than repealing mandatory ultrasound) supporting availability of abortion?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    40.4%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    11.3%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    2%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    1.3%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    39.7%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    5.3%
  5. Should the VWAA take positions on legislation regarding health issues with a disparate impact on women?

    YES

    64.7%

    NO

    20.7%

    NO OPINION/NEUTRAL

    14.7%
  6. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on Legislation supporting HPV immunization for girls?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    27.5%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    22.8%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    33.6%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    19.5%
  7. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation supporting HPV immunization for boys?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    22.1%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    23.5%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    33.6%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    19.5%
  8. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation supporting the availability of screening tests and treatment for conditions (other than HPV immunization) with disparate impact on women, e.g., mammograms, PAP tests, bone density scans?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    47.3%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    19.3%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    24%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    9.3%
  9. Should the VWAA take positions on legislation addressing domestic violence and/or sexual assault?

    YES

    84.6%

    NO

    8.7%

    NO OPINION/NEUTRAL

    6.7%
  10. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation increasing remedies available in protective orders for victims of family abuse?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    5.6%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    25.5%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    12.8%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    6.71%
  11. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation increasing criminal penalties for family abuse?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    45.6%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    24.2%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    15.4%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    14.1%
  12. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation protecting victims of human trafficking?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    58.4%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    25.5%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    14.8%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    1.3%
  13. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation increasing penalties for human trafficking?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    56.7%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    22.1%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    14.8%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    7.4%
  14. Should the VWAA take positions on legislation affecting women in the workplace?

    YES

    89.9%

    NO

    6%

    NO OPINION/NEUTRAL

    4%
  15. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation to prevent/diminish gender discrimination in employment?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    71.1%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    16.8%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    8.7%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    2.7%
  16. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation to prevent/diminish sexual harassment in the workplace?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    63.5%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    23.6%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    8.1%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    4.1%
  17. Should the VWAA take positions on legislation addressing public access to legal services and the administration of justice?

    YES

    84.1%

    NO

    0.41%

    NO OPINION/NEUTRAL

    11.7%
  18. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation supporting increased funding (general revenue) for existing legal aid offices?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    56.1%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    27.2%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    10.9%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    9.5%
  19. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation supporting an increase in the number of legal aid offices open in Virginia?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    47.6%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    19%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    10.9%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    9.5%
  20. Legislation supporting a repeal of section 54.1-3915.1 of the Code of Virginia (which currently prohibits the Supreme Court of Virginia from adopting attorney regulations that require attorneys to participate in the Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA) program, which helps fund legal aid, unless they qualify for an exemption)?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    30.6%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    12.9%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    2%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    4.1%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    19%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    31.3%
  21. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation promoting a funded judiciary and administration, including full funding for judges and clerks?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    62.3%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    18.5%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    8.2%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    11%
  22. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation to increase court-appointed counsel compensation?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    53.7%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    27.2%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    6.8%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    11.6%
  23. What position, if any, should the VWAA take on legislation to increase guardian ad litem compensation?

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    51%

    SHOULD SUPPORT -
    LOW PRIORITY

    29.9%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    HIGH PRIORITY

    0%

    SHOULD OPPOSE -
    LOW PRIORITY

    0.7%

    SHOULD TAKE NO POSITION

    7.48%

    NO OPINION/
    NEUTRAL

    10.9%