The proposed Initiative Ordinance aims to safeguard reproductive freedoms in San Francisco by establishing a fund for reproductive rights, providing public information about available services, and ensuring access to abortions and emergency contraception. It also seeks to limit cooperation with state or federal prosecutions related to lawful reproductive health care and amend zoning laws to allow reproductive health care centers in non-residential areas.
Hearing to consider the proposed Initiative Ordinance submitted by the Mayor to the voters for the November 5, 2024, Election, entitled "Ordinance amending the Administrative Code to 1) declare it official City policy to safeguard comprehensive reproductive freedoms; 2) establish a fund to receive monies to support reproductive rights and health services; 3) require the City to provide public information through website and signage about where abortions and emergency contraception may be available, including signage in front of limited services pregnancy centers that do not provide those services; 4) direct the City to identify and allocate funding that supports access to abortions and emergency contraception services in San Francisco; 5) prohibit City-funded providers from requiring providers to obtain additional medical qualifications not required by state or federal law; 6) restrict City officers and employees from cooperating with state or federal prosecutions as to reproductive health care that is provided or obtained lawfully in California; and 7) direct City departments to monitor changes in state and federal law that prevent discrimination on the basis of a person's reproductive health decision making; and amending the Planning Code to establish that reproductive health care centers that provide services for abortions and emergency contraception are principally permitted in non-residential zoning districts."
How it got here
The proposed Initiative Ordinance originated from the Mayor's office to safeguard reproductive rights in San Francisco.
The Mayor submitted an Initiative Ordinance to the Board of Supervisors for consideration, aimed at amending the Administrative Code to protect reproductive rights and establish a fund for reproductive health services.
The Rules Committee referred the proposed Initiative Ordinance to the Planning Department for review and to the Department of Human Resources for 'Meet and Confer' requirements.
The Planning Department determined that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the measure since it is submitted to voters by the Mayor.
The Controller provided a fiscal analysis indicating that the costs associated with the proposed ordinance would depend on future budget decisions by the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.
The Rules Committee held a hearing on the Initiative Ordinance and filed it for further consideration.
The Clerk of the Board transmitted the Initiative Ordinance to the Department of Elections for inclusion on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
Reconstructed from attached documents & the official record
