Seattle mayor signs bills in support of reproductive rights, gender-affirming care

SEATTLE (KOMO) — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on Monday morning signed four bills into law to toughen up abortion protections within city limits.

One bill treats people receiving or seeking abortion as a protected class in Seattle, ensuring their civil rights. Another makes it a misdemeanor to interfere with someone trying to get an abortion or seek gender affirming care.

A third establishes Seattle as a sanctuary city for people seeking abortions and prevents the Seattle Police Department from pursuing out-of-state warrants.

The final bill sets aside $250,000 in city taxpayer money to increase access to abortions in Seattle city limits.

Seattle City Council members Lisa Herbold and Tammy Morales sponsored two of the measures and joined Harrell at the bill signing.