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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 175-09
April 20, 2009

MAYOR BLOOMBERG SIGNS LEGISLATION PROHIBITING ACTIVITES THAT PREVENT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FACILITIES

Remarks by Mayor Bloomberg at a Public Hearing on Local Laws

"The first of three bills before me today is Introductory Number 826-A, sponsored by Speaker Quinn and Council Members Reyna, Lappin, Foster, Yassky, Seabrook, Sears, de Blasio, Arroyo, Comrie, Fidler, Garodnick, Gonzalez, Jackson, James, Koppell, Liu, Mark-Viverito, Martinez, Nelson, Palma, Sanders, Stewart, Weprin, White, Gerson, Mendez, Gennaro, Brewer, Rivera, Dickens and the Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum. Introductory Number 826-A prohibits certain activities that prevent access to a reproductive health care facility.

"Introductory Number 826-A primarily strengthens an existing law - Local Law 3 of 1994 - which prevents harassment of persons seeking medical care, obstruction of access to a medical facility, or physical damage to these facilities.  Introductory Number 826-A makes it easier to enforce Local Law 3 and strengthens that law by prohibiting a number of activities including following and harassing a person within fifteen feet of a reproductive health care facility.

"The Administration believes that this bill balances the rights of New Yorkers to access reproductive health care services with the constitutional rights of individuals to peaceably protest and express their views. 

"I would like to thank Criminal Justice Coordinator John Feinblatt, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Corporation Counsel Michael Cardozo and their staff for their hard work on this bill.  I would also like to thank the Council for approving this legislation."







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