LFP council passes resolution Prohibiting City Resources For Out-of-State Abortion Investigations

This past Thursday, July 14, 2022, the City Council of Lake Forest Park unanimously passed Resolution 1852, Prohibiting City Resources For Out-of-State Abortion Investigations. 

This resolution was sponsored by CM Furutani and Deputy Mayor Tom French.

CM Tracy Furutani presented the motion, 

Prohibiting Use of City Resources to aid out-of-state investigations, prosecutions, or other legal action against WA health care providers and clinics providing lawful abortion services and patients receiving those services

saying that it is a statement of community values "I'd like to think that our community believes in bodily autonomy, that women should not be subjected to laws from another state." 

The resolution was in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling which overturned the 50 year old Roe v Wade decision which legalized abortion and the laws passed in a dozen states which provide punitive measures for women, their helpers, and medical personnel, no matter what state they go to for medical services.

Furutani pointed out that both the governor and the county executive had made similar rulings, forbidding the Washington State Patrol and the King County Sheriff's Office from assisting in out of state investigations of abortions.

Deputy Mayor French stated that "many of us were stunned at the proceedings of the supreme court." He said that the resolution "may be symbolic but we as a community believe very strongly in women's reproductive rights and we will not sit by idly while their rights are infringed."

Another council member pointed out that this protects the many health care workers who live in Lake Forest Park. 

Several expressed concern that other states could impose their laws and values upon our residents.

"It is about a woman's right to her body - all decisions should be made by the woman and her medical provider."

The resolution was approved unanimously.

The final resolution as amended:

Section 1.  POLICY  . No City resources, including, but not limited to, facilities; supplies; and on duty time of employees, officers, contractors, or subcontractors shall be utilized for: a) investigating or detaining persons for performing or aiding in the support or the performance of an abortion within this state, or in procuring an abortion in this state, if the abortion is performed in accordance with the provisions of RCW 9.02.110 or any other applicable Washington State law, or b) cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of a lawful abortion performed in the state. Provided, however, the above prohibition shall not apply if state statute requires the City to respond to inquiries from out-of-state entities or persons such as under Chapter 42.56 RCW, the Public records act