County Executive Latimer signs bill protecting patients entering abortion clinics

The bill makes it illegal to obstruct someone from entering or exiting a reproductive health care facility to prevent them from getting treatment.

News 12 Staff

Jun 28, 2022, 12:09 AM

Updated 912 days ago

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Lawmakers in Westchester are taking additional steps to protect a woman's right to an abortion in New York days after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Westchester Executive George Latimer signed the Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access Act into law moments after County Legislators passed the bill 15-2 on Monday.
The law makes it illegal to obstruct someone from entering a reproductive health care facility, as well as bars physical harassment, damage to the premises or trying to intimidate people within 25 feet of the building.
The legislation comes as many believe New York will see an increase in women from out of the state seeking abortions -- and anti-abortion protesters will follow along as well.
"You have your right to free assembly, but you cannot use the tools of democracy to destroy democracy," says Latimer.
The lone Republican and conservative members of the board voted against the bill citing First Amendment concerns.