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CC - ACTION ITEM: (1) Consideration of a Support Position on SB 1245 (Kamlager) Los Angeles County Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program; and (2) Direction to the City Manager as Deemed Appropriate.
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Meeting Date: August 8, 2022
Contact Person/Dept.: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office or
Jesse Mays/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/03/2022); State Senator Sydney Kamlager; State Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell (08/03/2022)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar (08/03/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider approving a letter of support for SB 1245 (Kamlager) Los Angeles County (County) Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program; and (2) provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND
At the June 6, 2022 City Council Meeting, Council Member McMorrin discussed access to reproductive health and reproductive rights, and she received consensus that the City Council agendize consideration of a letter of support for Senator Kamlager' s Senate Bill (SB) 1245.
About SB 1245
In response to the sweeping restrictions on abortion access in states outside of California, SB 1245 (attached) seeks to establish a fund to expand and improve access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, in the County. If SB 1245 is signed into law, SEC. 2. Article 7 (commencing with Section 123641) would be added to Chapter 2 of Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code.
State funds allocated to the County of Los Angeles for the Los Angeles County Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program would be used to administer a pilot project to support innovative approaches and patient-centered collaborations to expand and improve access to sexual and reproductive health care, including safeguarding patient access to abortions, regardless of residency.
Funds may be used for the purpose of implementing recommendations from the County of Los Angeles pertaining to sexual and reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, any of the following, as designated by the County:
1. Providing medically accurate education and training tools to the community.
2. Providing training to health care workers and abortion providers.
3. Building secure infrastructure.
4. Countering misinformation campaigns and providing medically accurate information to health care providers and patients.
5. Coordinating care and patient support services.
6. Advancing and improving access to abortion.
The County must maintain a financial reporting system and provide annual reports to the Legislature summarizing the projects and collaborations funded under this Pilot program.
DISCUSSION
The City Council is requested to consider submitting a letter of support for SB 1245 and direct the City Manager as deemed appropriate. If a position of support is authorized, staff would work with the Mayor to communicate the City’s position to state and county legislators, the bill author, and committees, through correspondence, phone calls, public testimony, and in-person meetings as necessary. If legislative amendments are made to SB 1245, City staff would use its best judgment in transmitting the City’s position letter, based on the City Council’s adopted position. This bill is currently scheduled to be considered in the Assembly Appropriations Committee in early August.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact for the City Council to submit a letter of support for SB 1245.
ATTACHMENTS
2022-07-11__ATT___SB_1245_Amended on June 29, 2022
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the City Council:
1. If desired, approve a support position for SB 1245 (Kamlager) Los Angeles County Abortion Access Safe Haven Pilot Program; and/or
2. Provide other direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.