Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Women’s Reproductive Rights Subcommittee -
Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Advocacy Agenda
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution approving the Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Advocacy Agenda.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed 50 years of precedent by overturning Roe v. Wade in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The decision held that there is no constitutional right to abortion and returned the power to define abortion rights and restrictions to the states. Many states have passed, or are set to enact, laws that restrict, prohibit, and even criminalize abortion. The immediate impact of these new laws leaves women unable to safely access abortion and other healthcare services in those states, with a disparate impact on women of color and low-income women.
On May 17, 2022, in anticipation of the Dobbs decision, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution affirming the County’s unwavering support of women’s reproductive freedom and healthcare privacy. The resolution directed the County Executive to develop an action plan to further the Board’s commitment to these principles and to bring this action plan to the Board of Supervisors for its consideration.
On June 14, 2022, the Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a Women’s Reproductive Rights Action Plan that included, in part, for staff to present a Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Advocacy Agenda to the Board for its consideration no later than August 2, 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The attached resolution highlights the Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Advocacy Agenda to include legislative priorities at both the State and Federal levels and adds these priorities to the San Mateo County Legislative Agenda. The Agenda includes tracking legislation that supports the County’s unwavering support of women’s reproductive freedom and rights, and regular updates on such legislation to the Board.
Approval of the Advocacy Agenda will allow Chief Legislative Officer Connie Juarez-Diroll to communicate the Board of Supervisors’ support of legislation and state and federal actions that protect the right to reproductive freedom. Such support will be regularly reported to the Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Subcommittee. These actions will also be communicated to the Board of Supervisors in the quarterly Legislative Agenda updates.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.