SEAFORD, Del. - By a 3-2 vote the Seaford City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that changes what happens after an abortion. This comes after Planned Parenthood opened in Seaford this month.
Under the approved ordinance, women seeking to get an abortion in Seaford, are going to have to also think about how they want to dispose of fetal remains.Â
Some city officials say this is about disposing of fetal remains in a "dignified manner" while Planned Parenthood of Delaware argues this would restrict abortion access.
"This ordinance is really what the public is now calling it the dignity ordinance it really just comes down to your belief whether a fetus should be handled in a way that gives dignity," said David Genshaw, Mayor of Seaford.
Planned Parenthood of Delaware recently opened in Seaford and says the center follows state guidelines when disposing of fetal remains.
Adding that it's extremely rare a patient has ever requested to keep fetal remains.
"Ask the people receiving abortions if that's what they want. This does absolutely everything to continue the abortion stigma. It shames individuals who receive care and shames organizations that provide that care," explained Ruth Lytle-Barnaby, the President of Planned Parenthood of Delaware.
Back in October, the city tabled the decision to the abortion-related ordinance after being questioned on its legality by people in attendance.
"We made some tweaks to align with what's been passed in other states to go with what's been going on nationally but also there were some issues with miscarriages and abortions so we aligned with that but we never have felt that it was against state law," added Mayor Genshaw.
Planned Parenthood of Delaware says the ordinance violates several state laws.
"The State Code indicates that a death certificate which is a pre-requisite to obtaining burial or cremation cannot be issued by the Department of Health and Social Services for fetal tissue from induced abortions so this challenges that law," added Lytle-Barnaby.
Mayor Genshaw says they adjusted those requirements,
"We removed the death certificate requirement that was one of the tweaks we made and cremations are free," said Mayor Genshaw.
A divisive decision no matter the outcome.
To watch a stream of Seaford's Council meeting click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmTD6-NSvIMLwLSg3FUCzIA
