Fiscal Note
There may be a small increase in General Fund revenues derived from forfeitures.
Title
SUBSTITUTE Creating Section 23.01 and amending Section 1.08(3)(a) of the Madison General Ordinances to create a buffer zone at the entrance of health care facilities to protect patients and creates a bail schedule for violation thereof.
Body
DRAFTER'S ANALYSIS: This substitute ordinance creates a protective zone within 100 feet of the entrance to health clinics and 30 feet of the driveway entrance for a health clinic for patients to be allowed entry and exit without obstruction. Within these zones, it is unlawful to intentionally approach a person without their consent, within eight feet, in order to engage in oral protest, education, counseling, pass leaflets or handbills, or display signs to the person. This ordinance also prohibits, generally, anyone from physically and intentionally hindering a person’s entrance or exit from a health care facility. This ordinance also creates a bail schedule for these offenses.
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The Common Council of the City of Madison do hereby ordain as follows:
1. Section 23.01 entitled “Prohibition on Obstructing Entryways to Health Clinics” of the Madison General Ordinances is created to read as follows:
“23.01 PROHIBITION ON OBSTRUCTING ENTRYWAYS TO HEALTH CLINICS.
(1) Purpose and Findings. The Common Council recognizes that access to health care facilities for the purpose of obtaining medical counseling and treatment without interference is important to the residents of the City, and that the exercise of a person's right to speak for or against such counseling and treatment, including the right to protest or counsel against certain medical procedures, must be balanced against another person's right to obtain medical counseling or treatment in an unobstructed manner. Therefore, the Common Council finds that this ordinance is necessary to further th...
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