Press Release: Councilmember Todd Moves District Closer to Protecting Reproductive Rights

News Release — Ward 4 DC Council member Brandon Todd

December 19, 2019

CONTACT:

Eric Feldman

Legislation Would Amend The Human Rights Act of 1977 to Recognize the Right to Choose and Prohibit the District Government from Interfering with Reproductive Health Decisions

Washington, DC – Today, the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Government Operations, chaired by Councilmember Todd, held a hearing on the “Strengthening Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act of 2019.”

The legislation would affirm the District of Columbia’s commitment towards ensuring that all residents have the right to access the full range of reproductive health options, including abortion.

“The very personal medical decisions surrounding reproductive health, abortion, or contraception should be made by District residents themselves – not by government officials,” Councilmember Todd said. “This legislation prohibits the District government from interfering with these decisions and from imposing punishments or penalties for a self-managed abortion, miscarriage, or adverse pregnancy outcomes.”

Specifically, this legislation amends the Human Rights Act of 1977 to recognize the right to choose and to decide whether to carry a pregnancy to term to term, to give birth, or to have an abortion. It also prohibits the District government from interfering with reproductive health decisions and from imposing a punishment or penalty on an individual for a self-managed abortion, miscarriage, or adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Councilmember Grosso introduced this legislation with 6 of his colleagues, including Councilmember Todd.

“Across the country, reproductive health decisions—and specifically abortion rights—are under attack,” said Councilmember Grosso. “However, another movement is growing, one that seeks to positively and proactively protect people’s right to make their own reproductive health decisions. I believe the District of Columbia should be at the forefront of that movement. The “Strengthening Reproductive Health Protections Amendment Act of 2019” makes clear that D.C. residents have the right, in consultation with their doctor and free from government interference, to make medical decisions about contraception, abortion, or carrying a pregnancy to term. I am overwhelming grateful to the advocates who voiced their unequivocal support for this legislation and to Councilmember Todd for co-introducing the bill and holding today’s important hearing.”

Further, this legislation prohibits employment discrimination against health care professionals based on the professional’s participation in abortion or sterilization procedures.

Recently, policies at the federal level have targeted reproductive rights. This law would ensure that in the District, fundamental rights held by the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade would remain protected.

“Today’s hearing was about eliminating any interference with personal decisions and protecting reproductive freedom,” Councilmember Todd added. “A person’s right to choose should not be threatened by restrictive laws and or practices. Reproductive rights are human rights, and in the District, human rights are and will continue to be defended.”

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