AUGUSTA - A bill sponsored by Rep. Jay McCreight, D-Harpswell, that will protect patients' access to abortion care goes into effect today.
LD 1899 provides health service facilities the ability to establish and mark a "medical safety zone" extending eight feet from the center of an entryway. Within the zone, individuals are 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 can 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 abortion is central to our body autonomy, agency and ability to make choices about our own health care," said McCreight. "This bill will provide additional important protections so that people in Maine will no longer be repeatedly and intentionally obstructed from receiving the care they want and need."
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:
Katie Walsh [McCreight], c. 776-2122