I personally attended several meetings and assisted in the draft preparations for documents submitted to various Virginia relulatory agencies in charge of altering the current policy to restrain women in prison during childbirth. This policy has been changed in many states and Virginia  officials agreed by hand votes at various times to make the policy more humane and eliminate restrainst in all but  for few exceptions. I was saddened and outrages that ONE negative vote from a delagate in the sub committee could table ths action. This seems to point out a flaw in the legislative process for our Commonwealth. Sub committees should. The sub committee should be allowed a majority vote to pass measures on to the next committee for review.

Many hours of research, committee meetings, travel time, discussions with health officials,personal advocacy and interviewing of inmates whose stories assisted in requesting a change in policy were literally dismissed by a single nay vote.

I want to make Virginia a leading state in all issues, expecially ones which do not affect the budget, but rather represent a humanitarian effort to bring new Virginians into the world with as many advantages as possible.

Sincerely,

Mary Ellen D'Agostino

SALT

7417 First Landing Ct.

Henrico, VA 23231