COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
EXECUTIVE ORDER
Subject: Number:
ALLEGHENY 2024-2
SHIELD
Date: By Direction of:
OCTOBER 10, 2024 SARA INNAMORATO,
COUNTY EXECUTIVE
WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States’ Opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s
Health Organization, No. 19-1392, 597 U.S. ___ (2022), has overturned its prior
decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) and its progeny; and
WHEREAS, The Dobbs decision has ended nearly fifty years of precedent and reliance on the
constitutional right to an abortion; and
WHEREAS, Many states, including some of Pennsylvania’s nearest neighbors, have already
banned abortion; and
WHEREAS, Some of those states may seek to use their abortion bans in an attempt to reach
into Pennsylvania generally and Allegheny County specifically to threaten
Pennsylvania abortion providers with prosecution; and
WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has in place Executive Order, 2022-01 –
Reproductive Health Care, applicable to Commonwealth Executive Agencies
that protects health care professionals and persons lawfully seeking and
obtaining health care services in the Commonwealth, and Allegheny County
seeks to act in furtherance of and in support of this Executive Order and state
law; and
WHEREAS, The County has a duty to protect its citizens from the extra-legal overreach of
overzealous out-of-state prosecutors seeking to hold Allegheny County
residents accountable to foreign laws;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, County Executive Sara Innamorato, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Home Rule Charter of Allegheny County and other applicable laws, do hereby order and
direct as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
(a) For purposes of this Executive Order, “reproductive health care services” includes
all medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services relating to the human
reproductive system, including, but not limited to, services relating to
contraception, pregnancy, the termination of a pregnancy, or gender-affirming care.
(b) For purposes of this Executive Order, “County of Allegheny elected or appointed
official, officer, employee, or department” includes and is limited to all Allegheny
County officials, employees, or departments under the jurisdiction of the County
Executive, as provided by the Home Rule Charter.
Section 2. No Assistance from County Officials, Employees, or Departments.
(a) Except as required by Pennsylvania court order, Pennsylvania law, or federal law, no
County of Allegheny elected or appointed official, officer, employee, or department shall
provide any information, or expend or use time, money, facilities, property, equipment,
personnel, or other County resources in furtherance of any interstate investigation or
proceeding that seeks to impose civil or criminal liability or professional sanction upon a
person or entity for:
(1) The provision, seeking or receipt of, or inquiring about reproductive health
care services that are legal in this Commonwealth; or
(2) Any assistance given to any person or entity that relates to the provision,
securing or receiving of, or any inquiry concerning reproductive health care
services that are legal in this Commonwealth.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to any interstate investigation or proceeding in which
the conduct that is subject to potential liability under the investigation or
proceeding would be subject to civil or criminal liability or professional sanction
under Pennsylvania law if committed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(c) Subsection (a) does not limit the rights and ability of employees to engage in
conduct or express opinions in a private non-work-related capacity.
Section 4. Implementation.
The County Manager and County agencies under the County Executive’s
jurisdiction are directed to take all necessary steps to implement this Executive
Order. County-affiliated or related entities are encouraged to make a good faith
effort to advance the goals of this Executive Order. All actions taken shall be in
accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
Section 5. Effective Date.
This Executive Order shall take effect immediately and shall remain in effect until
amended or rescinded by the Chief Executive.
Sara G. Innamorato
County Executive
