TEMECULA, Calif. — The California Attorney General has sent a letter to the city of Temecula warning that its proposal to ban abortions could lead to legal action.

What You Need To Know

  • The state Attorney General sent a letter to Temecula on Sept. 23, saying local laws may not conflict with state laws

  • The Temecula City Council introduced the motion to consider an abortion ban on Sept. 13

  • The City Council is expected Tuesday night to consider whether it will be put on an upcoming council agenda

  • The move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision

California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent the letter to the city of Temecula Friday, Sept. 23, saying local laws may not conflict with state laws.

"Local legislation that conflicts with the general laws of the state are void," the letter reads. "The California Legislature and the California Supreme Court have declared time and again that California is a reproductive freedom state and that Californians have a right to access abortion."

The AG’s press office declined to comment, saying, "We'll let the letter speak for itself."

The letter was sent after a proposal made by City Councilwoman Jessica Alexander during a Sept. 13 Temecula City Council meeting. She introduced a resolution, “Sanctuary City for Temecula’s Unborn.” The motion is on Tuesday night’s agenda as an item for consideration on future City Council agendas.

A spokeswoman for the city of Temecula declined to comment. But in a City Council meeting on Sept. 13, Alexander spoke publicly announcing the motion.

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"Let us be the first city in California to make a stand," said Alexander, whose City Council bio lists her job as center director for Birth Choice. "Let's mark our city as a sanctuary city for Temecula's unborn. Let's stand up for righteousness and justice. Let us be the light in the valley and the voice for the voiceless."

Bonta's letter cites the California Supreme Court ruling, which held in 1981 that "all women in this state rich and poor alike possess a fundamental constitutional right to choose whether or not to bear a child" and warned that "any attempt by the City of Temecula to limit an individual’s ability to exercise their right to reproductive choice and bodily autonomy would be a violation of state law.

"California's Attorney General takes seriously his obligation to protect Californians' right to reproductive freedom. Our office will not hesitate to take legal action should a local regulation conflict with California state law."