AUSTIN, Texas — Thursday's Austin City Council agenda included a number of resolutions aimed at protecting reproductive rights.
City leaders approved Item 35, a resolution sponsored by Austin Mayor Steve Adler that could expand City employees' access to infertility treatment. District 2 Councilmember Vanessa Fuentes is a co-sponsor of the item. She said the item will ensure City employees have access to fertility treatments through their insurance.
Fuentes also introduced a series of resolutions as part of the "Fight Back for Reproductive Health Agenda."
The first resolution approved prohibits employment and housing discrimination based on reproductive health decisions.
"It is in anticipation that Roe v. Wade will get overturned," Fuentes said. "We do anticipate that happening. And so, what we're wanting to do is to take proactive steps to ensure that there are protections at the local level to ensure that Austinites are not discriminated based on their reproductive health decisions in housing and at the workplace."
The second resolution approved provides free menstrual products in City-owned facilities.
"Looking at providing free pads and tampons at a City, select City facilities," Fuentes said. "So, we're talking about our recreation centers, libraries and areas where it would make sense to have free period products available for our community. And this is a way for us to reduce barriers when it comes to health."
Other places include:
- City-owned showers and bathrooms accessible to people experiencing homelessness
- Austin Public Health facilities
- Summer camps
Fuentes said she will do everything she can at a local level to defend the reproductive rights of all Austinites.
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