AUGUSTA - Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, presented LD 1899, An Act To Ensure Safe Entry and Access for People Seeking Health Care and Other Constitutional Rights, before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.
The bill would protect patient's rights to access health care by providing health service centers the ability to establish and mark a "medical safety zone" extending eight feet from the center of an entryway. Within the zone, individuals would be prohibited from intentionally blocking entrances and exits, harassing and threatening patients and making noise so loud that patients are unable to hear or process critical medical information while inside. The zones would be in effect only during the facility's hours of operation. Violations could be charged as a Class E misdemeanor crime.
"Safe, unimpeded access to chosen health care must be a priority," said McCreight. "Without the protection this bill provides, people can continue to be repeatedly and intentionally obstructed from receiving the care they want and need. This proposal carefully balances the right of patients to receive care without interference with the right of demonstrators to express their own views regarding the type of care being sought."
The bill was supported by numerous advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Maine, the Maine Women's Lobby and the Maine Nurse Practitioner Association. Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey also testified in support.
We believe that this bill will improve our ability to protect patients accessing services at all health care facilities, said Frey. We need effective tools to protect the rights of all Maine people to access health care without harassment, intimidation or threats of violence.
McCreight, House chair of the Legislature's Marine Resources Committee and a member of the Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee, is serving her fourth term in the Maine House and represents Harpswell, West Bath and northeastern Brunswick.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [McCreight], c. 812-1111