Medford committee advances draft ordinance to protect gender-affirming and reproductive care, pauses for legal review

Medford City’s Public Health and Community Safety Committee voted Feb. 4 to keep a draft ordinance that would affirm protections for gender-affirming and reproductive health care in committee while the city obtains a legal review.

The draft ordinance, sponsored by Councillor Singh and discussed by Chair Lazaro, would seek to protect providers and patients in Medford from out-of-state legal action and to clarify that city resources should not be used to enforce policies from other jurisdictions. Chair Lazaro read language from a state press release, saying “gender affirming health care is a legally and constitutionally protected right.”

The measure’s sponsors said they introduced the draft after receiving requests from local advocacy groups and residents concerned about national developments affecting reproductive and gender-affirming care. Councillor Singh told the committee the ordinance borrows language from other Massachusetts municipalities and was revised to reflect Medford’s local context. Singh said the committee considered but did not include language on prescription drugs at pharmacies in this draft, citing differences in local applicability and questions about departmental rules.

Vice President Collins praised the draft as “very thorough” and said the council should act to ensure people who live in or visit Medford can obtain or provide medical care without outside interference. Collins said federal actions and proposed national legislation have heightened residents’ concerns and that the city should make its position explicit.

Committee members agreed to delay formal committee approval until the city’s legal adviser, KP Law, completes a review. Councillor Callaghan moved to keep the draft in committee pending that legal review; the motion was seconded by Councillor Singh and passed without a roll-call tally recorded in the meeting minutes.

Two members of the public offered support during the meeting’s public-comment period. Ellen Epstein of 15 Grove Street said she appreciated the council’s work on the issue, and Jen Sullivan of 35 Washington Street identified herself as speaking for a local group, Medford People Power, in support of protections.

Sponsors said next steps will include awaiting KP Law’s written guidance and reconvening the committee to consider amendments, including whether to add pharmacy-prescription language or to refer the ordinance to the full council. The draft currently omits any appropriation of city funds; committee members noted that under the city charter the mayor proposes spending and the council votes on appropriations.

The committee did not adopt the ordinance at this meeting and took no action that would change city policy while the legal review is pending.