Crimes: other; preventing access to a health care facility; prohibit. Creates new act.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill, titled the "Access to Health Facilities Act," prohibits actions that interfere with, intimidate, or obstruct individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services at or near health facilities. It establishes criminal penalties for intentionally harming, intimidating, or obstructing access based on reproductive health services, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders and those causing bodily injury or death. The bill also allows individuals and entities to sue to prevent such actions and seek damages.
Key provisions
- Defines key terms like "health facility," "interfere with," "intimidate," and "physical obstruction" related to accessing reproductive health services.
- Creates criminal penalties for intentionally obstructing, injuring, or intimidating individuals seeking or providing reproductive health services.
- Establishes escalating penalties for repeat offenders and those causing harm.
- Allows civil lawsuits to enjoin violations and seek compensatory and punitive damages.
- Provides for statutory damages of up to $5,000 per violation in lieu of actual damages.
- Specifies civil fines for violations, varying based on the severity of the offense.
- Protects expressive conduct like picketing and demonstrations.
- Prevents the act from preempting local ordinances regulating reproductive health services.
Who is affected
- Individuals seeking reproductive health services
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Senate Introduced Bill
- Published
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Sponsors
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No sponsors are on record.
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