Baltimore City Council members are considering a resolution that would protect out-of-state residents who travel to the state for an abortion, as well as abortionists who commit crimes in other states.
Resolution 23-0185R, “Reproductive Options for Everyone,” would “safeguard an individual’s right to abortion” and prohibit the use of City funds or resources in aiding out-of-state abortion investigations. The resolution would match a state law signed by Governor Wes Moore earlier this year. According to city council records, 13 of the council’s 18 members are sponsoring the proposal.
In a hearing held last week, Planned Parenthood of Maryland CEO Karen J. Nelson testified in favor of the resolution.
“We are seeing an onslaught of laws and lawsuits aimed at intimidating people from taking ownership of their own reproductive decisions,” she said. “Sustained and organized campaigns are seeking to punish those that assist people in exercising their bodily autonomy. This legislation serves as an opportunity for the City to give a resounding response — we will not tolerate bullying our residents, our care providers, or our support networks.”
“Anti-abortion states are using medical records to prosecute providers in those seeking reproductive care,” claimed Ebony Thompson, the Baltimore City Solicitor.
Supporters of the resolution have cited a law in Idaho that prohibits minors from being taken out of state for an abortion as an example of “an intent to punish individuals who cross state lines to seek abortion care.” However, a recent incident in which a young rape victim from Idaho was kidnapped against her will and brought to Oregon for an abortion underscores the very reason why abortion trafficking laws are necessary.
This is not the first time that Baltimore leaders have taken steps to shore up the city’s abortion-friendly status. In May 2022, the City Council unanimously approved a resolution that affirms abortion. That resolution used city funds and donations to support the Baltimore Abortion Fund and the Baltimore Doula Project, which offers “abortion support.” In June 2022, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that the city would give $300,000 in grants to abortion businesses.
