Title
Approval of a Resolution Declaring the City of Olympia to be a Sanctuary City for Reproductive Health Care and Abortion Services as Permitted by Washington State Law and Recognizing the Right to Reproductive Choice
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve a Resolution declaring the City of Olympia to be a Sanctuary City for reproductive health Care and abortion services as permitted by Washington State Law and recognizing the right to reproductive choice.
Report
Issue:
Whether to approve a Resolution declaring the City of Olympia to be a Sanctuary City for reproductive health Care and abortion services as permitted by Washington State Law and recognizing the right to reproductive choice.
Staff Contact:
Susan Grisham, Assistant to the City Manager, 360-753-8244
Presenter(s):
Olympia City Council
Background and Analysis:
On May 2, 2022, we learned that the United States Supreme Court was likely to overturn Roe v. Wade, a landmark decision in which the Court ruled that the United States Constitution protects a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government restrictions.
On June 14, Councilmember Parshley, with the support of Councilmember Hu?nh and Councilmember Payne put forward a referral requesting staff to develop a resolution clearly stating Olympia's position on reproductive rights; that staff research options regarding on what a Washington State city can enact and fund that will support choice and reproductive rights and the Community Livability and Public Safety Committee to add the topic to their 2023 and 2024 work plans. The Council supported moving forward with the Resolution.
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe, turning back 50 years of a guaranteed constitutional right to abortion and reproductive choice.
The Olympia City Council puts forward this Resolution and subsequent actions to demonstrate the C...
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