WHITEHALL, Ohio (WCMH) — The city of Whitehall is considering two resolutions to protect immigrants and transgender residents amid state and federal crack downs toward both groups.

Councilwoman Amy Harcar introduced a resolution supporting immigrant rights and protections and a resolution designating Whitehall as a safe place for gender affirming healthcare on March 11. However, she said she wanted the draft resolutions to receive community feedback before city council voted on them.

“I know that these are not simple issues, and I do want to make sure they are well thought out before things move forward,” Harcar said.

Harcar wanted citizen input and to look at Whitehall data to make sure the legislation best serves the community. With council’s approval, Harcar is forming a subcommittee within the Community and Elder Advocacy Committee, which she chairs, to gather more information.

After some discussion, councilmembers determined she would speak with residents and community members with no more than one additional councilmember. Members of city council said this allowed citizens to be the primary contributors, and having fewer councilmembers allows the meeting to remain unofficial and free from public record laws.

“The reason I introduced them for discussion is to ensure that all of our residents feel safe in our city and know they are valued members of our community,” Harcar said.

As is, Harcar said the legislation she introduced should be considered a rough draft. She pointed to Westerville’s ban on conversion therapy as part of her inspiration. Westerville became the 13th Ohio city to ban conversion therapy, or anti-LGBTQ+ practices that claim to change a person’s sexual identity or gender orientation, in February. See previous coverage of Westerville’s new resolution in the video player above.

“They’re primarily pulled from what other some cities and municipalities have done to offer some protections for some members of the community that may be particularly vulnerable,” Harcar said.

Harcar’s immigration resolution affirms the city’s commitment to help all residents, regardless of immigration status. According to the U.S. Census, 15.7% of Whitehall residents are immigrants or refugees, amounting to about 3,100 community members. If passed, Harcar’s draft would have the city refuse to use Whitehall resources to aid federal immigration enforcement.

Harcar’s gender-affirming care resolution would ensure Whitehall would not prosecute any person or group seeking gender-affirming care, and would not cooperate with state or federal forces working to do so. If passed as written, it would protect access to gender-affirming care within city limits.

The resolution would also ban conversion therapy, allow Whitehall residents to use the restroom of their choice and reaffirm the city’s stance against Ohio’s SAFE Act. The SAFE Act was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine and bans gender-affirming care for minors and transgender student-athletes from participating in women’s sports.

Although the SAFE Act is state law, both resolutions were approved as legally appropriate by City Attorney Brad Nicodemus on March 6.

Mayor Michael Bivens said the legislation is still in its initial stages as it moves forward. Council decided the updated version will be read for consideration at an April 15 meeting, giving Harcar and her committee about a month to reform the legislation for Whitehall.