STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Quality of Life, Arts & Culture
AGENDA DATE: August 10, 2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): All
DEPARTMENT: Mayor and City Council Office
EXECUTIVE: T.C. Broadnax
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SUBJECT
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Authorize a resolution to condemn any action intended to abrogate the fundamental liberties of the people of Dallas and affirm the City Council commitment to protecting peoples right to make reproductive health decisions for themselves and their families, including abortion care, and set Policy regarding the use of City resources in the prosecution of people seeking to make reproductive decisions - Financing: No cost consideration to the City
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BACKGROUND
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the landmark ruling, Roe v. Wade which prevented individual states from directly banning access to safe and legal abortions. On June 16, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed into law HB 1280, which criminalizes abortion with no exception for rape and incest, which will take effect 30 days after the overturning of Roe vs Wade.
This resolution if approved by City Council will formally condemn all actions intended to impede the right to make reproductive health decisions and set as Policy that except to the extent otherwise required by state or federal law, or in cases of intentional or criminally negligent conduct to the health of the pregnant person or where coercion or force is used against the pregnant person, City resources will not be used to:
• Create a record of individuals seeking reproductive health services that could be prosecuted as a violation of state laws criminalizing or creating civil liability for pregnancy outcomes
• Provide information to anyone about pregnancy outcomes, unless it’s for defending patients right to care, or the healthcare provider’s right to provide such care
• Conduct surveillance or use of any electronic surveillance device for the purpose of determining whether an abortion has occurred
Further any investigation of or support for the prosecution of any allegation, charge, or information relating to a pregnancy outcome will be the lowest priority for enforcement and for assignment of personnel and resources, except in cases of intentional or criminally negligent conduct to the health of the pregnant person or where coercion or force is used against the pregnant person, or where the pregnancy outcome is not the crime investigated but evidence of another crime.
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee approved a resolution at the Special Called Meeting on August 2, 2022 with recommendation to move item forward to full City Council.
FISCAL INFORMATION
No cost consideration to City.