Label
Council Members Komives and Harper
Title
Opposing and Condemning the Enactment of the 133rd Ohio General Assembly’s Six-week Abortion Ban through Substitute Senate Bill 23; and declaring an emergency.
Summary
WHEREAS, a six-week abortion ban will have profound negative impacts on the health of individuals in Toledo by effectively eliminating access to all legal abortion services, without exceptions for cases of rape and incest and with woefully inadequate protections for the life and health of the parent; and
WHEREAS, Substitute Senate Bill 23 negatively impacts the ability of Toledo to attract and retain qualified medical professionals by threatening doctors with prison time and fines for performing duties in their capacity as medical professionals; and
WHEREAS, access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare supports the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in Toledo by providing safe and healthy family planning options, preventing unintended pregnancies, increasing participation in the labor force, and improving economic security for families; and
WHEREAS, safe abortion access is a key component of comprehensive health care access for individuals and eliminating such access can increase risk of harm to individuals seeking abortions; and
WHEREAS, similar bans passed in other states have universally been ruled unconstitutional by courts throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, as one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country, Substitute Senate Bill 23 negatively impacts efforts by the City of Toledo to attract businesses, young professionals, and entrepreneurs who help drive local economic activity and growth; and
WHEREAS, rather than implementing regressive and extreme policies like Substitute Senate Bill 23, policy makers should instead focus on supportive services to reduce unintended pregnancies and promote the success of all families by investing in comprehensive sex education, affordable access to contraceptives and other healthcare, and quality affordable childcare, paid family leave, and education and career opportunities; NOW, THEREFORE,
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That this Council does hereby oppose the six-week abortion ban passed by the 133rd Ohio General Assembly through Substitute Senate Bill 23.
SECTION 2. That the Clerk of Council is hereby authorized and directed to forward a certified copy of this resolution to Governor Mike DeWine of the State of Ohio, to the Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives and request that a copy be forwarded to each of the duly elected State Representatives and also forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Clerk of the Ohio Senate and request that a copy be forwarded to each of the duly elected State Senators.
SECTION 3. That this Resolution is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that the same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and property, and for the further reason that immediate action is necessary in order to authorize a resolution indicating the opposition of Toledo City Council on a matter of great importance to the City in a timely manner.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Adopted: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of a Resolution adopted by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council