CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the City's criminal code; amending Section 12A.09.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code to adopt the Revised Code of Washington offense Interference with Health Care Facilities or Providers.
body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
WHEREAS, in 1991, the people of Washington initiated the Reproductive Privacy Act, which affirms the fundamental right of persons in Washington State to privacy with respect to personal reproductive decisions and proscribes the authority of the state to deny or interfere with a "pregnant individual's right to choose or refuse to have an abortion"; and[FK1]
WHEREAS, in 1993 the legislature codified Chapter 9A.50, Interference with Health Care Facilities or Providers, in the Revised Code of Washington (RCW); and
WHEREAS, Chapter 9A.50 RCW finds that "seeking or obtaining health care is fundamental to public health and safety" and creates criminal penalties for persons who interfere with access to health care facilities; and
WHEREAS, on June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (No. 19-1392) overruling the constitutional right to an abortion established by Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa. v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, and repudiating a constitutional right to privacy; and
WHEREAS, The New York Times estimates that after the Dobbs decision, with current and likely trigger laws banning abortions in up to 24 states, as many as 17 million persons capable of being pregnant would not have access to local abortion services; and
WHEREAS, reproductive health organizations estimate that, after Dobbs, Washington State will see an increase in persons traveling to the state to seek abortion services; and
WHEREAS, the City has an interest in ensuring public health and safety and protecting the privacy interests and personal safety of Seattle r...
Click here for full text