AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Hold discussion regarding protection on abortion rights and provide direction to the City Manager.
Body
Meeting date: August 2, 2022
Department: Requested by Council Member Baker and Council Member Garza
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Background Information:
Finding out what other cities are doing, similar to the GRACE act passed in Austin, to protect people that might seek abortions
Item 1 <http://chrome-extension:/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https%3A/www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=387202> is an ordinance amending City code chapters to prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health actions for housing, public accommodations, employment and employment by City contractors. This means no one could be fired, evicted, denied housing or denied a job for getting an abortion.
Item 2 <http://chrome-extension:/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https%3A/www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=387204> would prevent City funding from being used to catalog any reports of abortion, miscarriage or other health care acts. City funds would not be used to report evidence to any other government agencies unless such information is given to defend the patient's right to abortion or a health care provider's right to provide such care. Funds would also not be used for surveillance or to collect information on people concerning abortions.
Item 3 <http://chrome-extension:/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https%3A/www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=387590> "establishes equitable access to contraception as essential to family planning, reproductive freedom and public health." The resolution directs the city manager to explore the ability to conduct a public education program on long-term birth control, such as vasectomies, with the help of local health partners.
Item 4 <http://chrome-extension:/efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https%3A/www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=387208> directs the city manager to address the feasibility of providing City employees with benefits, such as travel and accommodation expenses, to help make sure they have access to abortions and other reproductive services no longer available in the state.
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