San Francisco Sun

San Francisco, CA – Mayor London N. Breed, along with Supervisors Catherine Stefani, Myrna Melgar, and Hillary Ronen, joined leaders and reproductive rights advocates today at the Planned Parenthood of Northern California to announce the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act. This new ballot measure aims to ensure the reproductive freedoms and rights of women in San Francisco remain protected as jurisdictions around the country continue to limit these freedoms.

The measure proposes a range of protections for women seeking abortion services and reproductive care in San Francisco. It includes ensuring that no information is shared with jurisdictions outside of California where such information could be used to prosecute either a patient or a reproductive healthcare provider. Since the repeal of Roe v Wade, abortion has been banned in 14 states, with significant restrictions in seven others.

“This ballot measure secures access to reproductive services and abortions for women in our City, but it also sends a clear message across the nation that San Francisco continues to be a leader in supporting reproductive rights and we will not tolerate any level of disruption,” said Mayor London N. Breed. “It is unthinkable that forces are at work to prevent a woman from being able to make decisions about her own body. We have stood on the right side of history before and now, more than ever, we will work harder to get back what was taken and preserve what we know to be a core value in this country.”

The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Protection Act will strengthen longstanding access to abortion and reproductive services and establish new requirements:

- Declaring it official policy of the City and County of San Francisco to safeguard comprehensive reproductive freedom through several declarations.

- Requiring public information about where people can access reproductive health services.

- Prohibiting use of City funds to cooperate with or provide information supporting prosecution of an abortion or reproductive health service lawful in California.

- Limiting City funding from going to any reproductive health facility that does not provide or refer for comprehensive reproductive health service.

- Requiring signage at crisis pregnancy centers indicating those locations do not provide comprehensive reproductive health care and where people can get information about locations that do.

- Establishing a fund supported by both private and City dollars (if appropriated later) for accessing reproductive health care.

- Amending the Planning Code to clarify that reproductive health clinics are permitted wherever non-residential uses are allowed.

“This ballot measure sends a clear message: San Francisco will always stand as a beacon of hope and protection for those seeking reproductive autonomy,” said Supervisor Catherine Stefani. “The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act helps safeguard our community's access to safe and legal abortion services, starkly contrasting the shameful trend of eroding reproductive rights across the country. I urge all San Franciscans to support this measure.”

“San Francisco has long been a place of refuge for those fleeing violence and persecution,” said Supervisor Myrna Melgar. “Unfortunately, with the fall of Roe vs. Wade, this means we must make sure our City is open and welcoming to people facing prosecution for seeking basic reproductive healthcare within our own country.”

“In San Francisco, access to reproductive health doesn’t just mean obtaining high-quality care,” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “It also means being able to walk into see a healthcare provider without fear of harm, manipulation, guilt or pressure.”

"Women's access to healthcare is not negotiable," said Supervisor Connie Chan. "In San Francisco we are united as a sanctuary city for all women who seek care."

San Francisco has been a leader with strong support for women’s reproductive freedoms including contraception, abortion, in vitro fertilization, and accurate medical information. Across the country, women and healthcare providers face life-threatening legal challenges that erode their ability to protect women's health.

“The San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act further cements our city's ongoing leadership," said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.

Since the Dobbs decision, California has seen an increase in abortion procedures: 13,680 abortions were reported in May 2022 before Roe v Wade was overturned; by May 2023 this number increased to 15,550; March 2023 saw 16,000 abortions statewide.

Mayor Breed’s efforts include launching the Bay Area Abortion Rights Coalition following Roe v Wade's reversal. The coalition supports mapping Bay Area’s abortion services capacity.

Mayor Breed maintains funding initiatives such as:

- A two-year grant funding security officers at Planned Parenthood's location in San Francisco.

- Six public health facilities providing abortion services.

San Francisco's Department of Public Health manages 29 facilities offering comprehensive care including family planning counseling, gynecology services, HIV testing/treatment (Pep & PrEP), perinatal/prenatal care among others.

“Reproductive freedom is manifested at the local level,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax.

“With the high stakes Presidential election in fall," added Kimberly Ellis from Department on Status of Women,"this ballot initiative is an example how proactive contingency planning looks like."

Community support includes endorsements from Gilda Gonzales (CEO Planned Parenthood Northern California), Jenny Mistry (National Institute for Reproductive Health), Amy Moy (Essential Access Health), Jessica Pinckney Gil (ACCESS Reproductive Justice).

The Mayor will sign this measure onto November's ballot where voters will decide if it should become official policy safeguarding women's rights within City/County limits.

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