Committee approves ordinance to codify protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care; amends subpoena provision

The Governance, Accountability and Economic Development Committee on Thursday approved Council Bill 120,950, an ordinance the mayor transmitted to reaffirm Seattle as a welcoming city and to codify protections for reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. The committee adopted one amendment that removes a city-level subpoena-quash section and instead refers requesters to existing state procedural rules.

Deputy Mayor Greg Wong, introducing the mayor's transmittal, said the measure is part of a broader city response to federal actions the administration views as hostile to reproductive and LGBTQ rights. "We are activating on multiple fronts to ensure we as a city have strategies, and actions to stand up for our people, our policies, and our laws," Wong said.

The ordinance, drafted with input from the city’s LGBTQ Commission and departments, has four main components: reaffirmation of city values; a declaration of public policy supporting access to protected health care…