[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs 4-4-2023. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
Whereas, the City of Saratoga Springs hereby affirms and expresses support that the core values of our community include creating a climate of welcome and inclusiveness, protecting and preserving democracy, freedom, human rights, and the dignity of all people; and
B. 
Whereas, the 2019 Reproductive Health Act affirmed New York State's commitment to comprehensive reproductive health care as a fundamental component of health, privacy, and equality; and
C. 
Whereas, On June 13, 2022, Governor Hochul signed into law a package of six bills to immediately protect the rights of patients and reproductive health care providers; and
D. 
Whereas, in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, some state legislatures have moved to criminalize out-of-state abortions;
E. 
Now, therefore, be it ordained and enacted by the City Council of the City of Saratoga Springs as follows:
A. 
The City Council makes the following findings:
(1) 
That the protection of reproductive rights is essential to health care and the well-being of individuals.
(2) 
That New York State legalized abortion in 1970 prior to the landmark Roe v. Wade case enshrined these protections in the U.S. Constitution.
B. 
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to recognize the importance of reproductive health care as a matter of health, privacy, and equality and to ensure, to the greatest extent permitted by law, that those rights are upheld for all residing in the City of Saratoga Springs.
A. 
No City resources, including, but not limited to, time spent by employees, officers, contractors, or subcontractors while on duty, and no use of City property, shall be utilized for:
(1) 
Detaining persons for performing or aiding in the performance of an abortion within this state, or in procuring an abortion in this state, if the abortion is performed in accordance with the provisions of Article 25A of the Public Health Law or any other applicable New York State law; or
(2) 
Cooperating with or providing information to any individual or out-of-state agency or department regarding the provision of a lawful abortion performed in this state, unless the individual on whom the abortion has been performed has requested in a signed release that such information be provided to a designated person or persons.
B. 
Nothing in this section shall prohibit the investigation of any criminal activity in this state, provided that no information relating to any medical procedure performed on a specific individual may be shared with an out-of-state agency or any other individual, unless the individual on whom the medical procedure has been performed has requested in a signed release that such information be shared with a designated person or persons.
C. 
Any person detained in violation of this section may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for a claim of unlawful detention in violation of this section, for any damages, including punitive damages, and for declaratory and injunctive relief and such other remedies as may be appropriate. The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this section, may award costs of litigation to the prevailing party whenever the court determines such an award is appropriate. This section does not limit or abrogate any claim or cause of action such person has under common law or by any other law or rule.
Severability is intended throughout and within the provisions of this chapter. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or portion of this chapter is held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this chapter.