King Co. executive blocks local cooperation in out-of-state abortion investigations

King County executive to sign order blocking abortion investigation cooperation

Dow Constantine says he will block the use of any county resources for investigating out-of-state abortion crimes.

KING COUNTY, Wash. - King County Executive Dow Constantine signed an executive order on Tuesday that will prevent county resources from being used in out-of-state abortion investigations.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, many politicians are taking preemptive strides to protect anyone who comes to Washington seeking abortions. The executive order blocks cooperation with states where abortion is now significantly restricted from investigating and prosecuting their residents who travel to receive care in Washington. 

Constantine’s order cites a "moral and policy imperative not to assist states and other outside organizations and individuals seeking to infringe the rights of persons who obtain health care in King County."

The order bars sheriff’s deputies and staff from making arrests, serving warrants and subpoenas or helping in extradition on any person who has sought or provided reproductive health care that is legal in Washington.

It also bans the county jail system from accepting bookings for abortion-related out-of-state prosecutions and it bars the county health department from providing information related to prosecutions or sanctions related to abortion.

Legislation to make Seattle an abortion sanctuary city

Washington Governor Jay Inslee and other lawmakers say they'll be working on legislation to shore up more protections for people seeking abortions in the coming weeks.

Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee presented new legislation to officially designate Seattle as a sanctuary city for abortions, noting that the entire state will remain a sanctuary as well. He and other state lawmakers announced plans to shore up protections for people seeking abortion care in Washington.

Inslee also instructed the Washington State Patrol last week to refrain from assisting out-of-state agencies in abortion investigations, in anticipation of requests from other states to enforce their anti-abortion laws. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.