Seattle's City Council made a decisive move to bolster the city’s standing as a refuge for those requiring reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. Council President Sara Nelson, along with co-sponsors Councilmember Cathy Moore and Councilmember Maritza Rivera, passed legislation that extends protections locally to reinforce Washington State’s existing Shield Law. This law establishes a barrier that prohibits City employees from taking part in the enforcement of restrictive laws from other jurisdictions that might jeopardize such healthcare services.
According to a publication by the Seattle City Council, Council President Nelson stated, “This legislation sends a clear message: Seattle is and will remain a safe harbor for communities under relentless attacks from the Trump Administration and its allies.” Nelson highlighted Seattle's history as a welcoming city and pledged continued defense against anti-choice and anti-transgender policies.
In a show of unity for marginalized groups, Councilmember Rivera said, “Today we took an unequivocal stance in support of reproductive health and gender affirming treatment in Seattle.” She underscored the importance of this care to the residents' welfare and extended thanks to the LGBTQ Commission for their partnership on this legislation.
The new protections detailed in the ordinance clarify the enforcement of Washington state’s Shield Law within the city limits and strictly limit City employees, including those in healthcare, social services, and law enforcement, from cooperating with external forces that oppose the city’s protective stance. For instance, City employees will no longer be able to comply with requests to release health records or identifying information in response to out-of-state court orders against individuals who have received gender-affirming care in Seattle.
The implementation and enforcement of these protections will be overseen by the City Attorney's Office (CAO). The CAO will be responsible for ensuring the ordinance’s adherence and can pursue legal action to defend a City employee instructed to violate the established principles. Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison was quoted by the Council, stating, "This bill is an important backstop to our state shield law and reaffirms this City’s commitment to protect providers and patients of reproductive and gender-affirming health care in Seattle."
