title
An Ordinance amending and supplementing the Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 5, entitled "Health and Sanitation," through the creation of a new Chapter 550, entitled “Right of Choice.”
body
WHEREAS, it is the judgment of Council that the practice of abortion constitutes health care; and
WHEREAS, it is further the judgment of Council that it is neither appropriate nor well-advised for the Council to attempt to interpose its own beliefs between any individual and their health care provider(s) in making the difficult decisions regarding such procedures;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
SECTION 1. Incorporation of the Preamble.
The preamble to this Ordinance is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein.
SECTION 2. Amendment of the Code.
The Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 5, entitled "Health and Sanitation," is hereby amended and supplemented through the creation of a new Chapter 560, entitled “Right of Choice,” and comprised as follows:
Chapter 560
Right of Choice
§560-1. Policy, findings of fact, and construction.
A. It is the intention of the Council of Allegheny County to protect hereby the life and health of patients choosing to undergo abortion procedures within the first two trimesters of pregnancy. It is the further intention of the Council to foster the development of standards of professional conduct in a critical area of medical practice, and to protect the right of adult and minor patients voluntarily to decide to submit to abortion or to carry their child to term. The Council specifically finds as fact that the rights and interests intended to be furthered by this chapter are not secure after the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, No. 19-1392, 597 U.S. ___ (2022).
B. Reliable and convincing evidence has compelled the Council to conclude and the Council does hereby solemnly declare and find that:
1. Many individuals now see...
Click here for full text