* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Porter
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Reaffirming Baltimore’s Commitment to Reproductive Rights
For the purpose of reaffirming the City of Baltimore’s commitment to protecting its citizens’ reproductive rights and support for measures, including a State Constitutional amendment, to ensure access to abortion, family planning, labor and delivery care, miscarriage management, pre- and post-natal care, and all other reproductive health services regardless of background.
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Recitals
Whereas, on June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overturned the long-standing decisions in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, eliminating the federal Constitutional right to abortion.
Whereas, in the wake of the Dobbs decision, many states have instated a complete or de facto ban on abortion, forcing thousands of individuals to seek abortion care in Maryland and increasing criminalization of abortion seekers, those who help them, and abortion providers.
Whereas, abortion has been legal in the State of Maryland since 1973 and was reaffirmed by referendum in 1993, but has yet to be affirmed in the State Constitution.
Whereas, Governor Wes Moore and the General Assembly have enacted legislation to: (1) guard health record privacy, (2) shield providers, assistants, and seekers of legally protected health care, including abortion, from legal action by other states, and (3) establish a requirement for 4-year public colleges to create plans for providing students with reproductive health care.
Whereas, Maryland voters will vote on a Constitutional amendment in the November 2024 General Election affirming the right to reproductive freedom and an individual’s right to personal decisions regarding preventing pregnancy, carrying a pregnancy to term, or ending a pregnancy.
Whereas, the retrogression of reproductive rights in the United States conflicts with the United States’ obligations under international human rights law, including treaties which are also binding on the states and local governments, such as rights to: (1) nondiscrimination, (2) gender equality, (3) life, (4) privacy, (5) freedom from torture, (6) cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, (7) and equal protection under law.
Whereas, reproductive rights are an issue of social justice, as women of color are particularly underserved regarding maternal health and intimate partner violence.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the City Council of Baltimore, that the City of Baltimore recognizes access to abortion as a fundamental human right, and reaffirms its commitment to protecting its citizens’ reproductive rights and support for measures, including a State Constitutional amendment, to ensure access to abortion, family planning, labor and delivery care, miscarriage management, pre- and post-natal care, and all other reproductive health services regardless of background.
And be it further resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Governor of Maryland, the President of the Maryland Senate, the Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the Director of the Office of Equity and Civil Rights, the Director of the Baltimore City Health Department, and the Mayor’s Legislative Liaison to the City Council.