Amendment ID: S2281-1

Amendment 1

Reproductive Health Care Facilities -- Buffer zones

Ms. Chandler moves to amend the bill in section 2, by striking out the definition of “Gathering”; and

in said section 2, in proposed section 120E½ of chapter 266 of the General Laws, by striking out proposed subsection (b) and inserting in place thereof the following subsection:-

“(b) A law enforcement official may order the immediate withdrawal of 1 or more individuals who have on that day substantially impeded access to or departure from an entrance or a driveway to a reproductive health care facility.  A withdrawal order issued pursuant to this section shall be in writing and shall include the following statements: (i) the individual or individuals have substantially impeded access to or departure from the reproductive health care facility; (ii) the individual or individuals so ordered shall, under the penalty of arrest and prosecution, immediately withdraw and cease to stand or be located within at least 25 feet of an entrance or a driveway to the reproductive health care facility; and (iii) the order shall remain in place for 8 hours or until the close of business of the reproductive health facility, whichever is earlier.  This subsection shall apply during the business hours of a reproductive health care facility. This subsection shall also apply only if the 25-foot boundary is clearly marked and subsections (a) through (c), inclusive, of this section are posted outside of the reproductive health care facility.”; and

in said section 2, by striking out, in lines 41, 74 and 77, the word “dispersal” and inserting in place thereof, in each instance, the following word:- “withdrawal”; and

and by inserting before the enacting clause the following emergency preamble:-

“Whereas, The deferred operation of this act would tend to defeat its purpose, which is to protect forthwith access to reproductive health care facilities, therefore it is hereby declared to be an emergency law, necessary for the immediate preservation of the public safety."