Boston, MA – Kelly O’Bryan, Political Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, issued the following statement in response to the Massachusetts State Senate vote to pass An Act Relative to Public Safety (S.1353, the Buffer Zone Bill):

 

“The Senate’s passage of the Buffer Zone Bill today is a major victory for women seeking health services and the medical staff who provide those services. No one should be harassed and intimidated when seeking health care. We are grateful for the Senate’s leadership on this important public safety issue, and now urge the House to pass the Buffer Zone Bill as well

 

“The current Buffer Zone Law has proven to be ineffective. Harassment is still a very real problem at reproductive health clinics across the Commonwealth. In a survey conducted by NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts in December 2006, all of the reproductive health facilities in Massachusetts expressed strong support for a solution to this issue of unenforceability in the form of a fixed, 35 foot buffer zone.

 

“We applaud the Senate’s leadership in passing the Buffer Zone Bill today. Also, we are grateful for the support of Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth); the lead Senate sponsors of the bill, Senator Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and Senator Susan Fargo (D-Lincoln); and the Senate Chair of the Public Safety Committee, Senator James Timilty (D-Walpole).

 

The Buffer Zone Bill is a commonsense public safety initiative that has broad public support. We call on members of the House to pass this necessary legislation quickly and to send it to Governor Patrick for his signature.”

 

NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts is the state's leading advocate for privacy and a woman's right to choose. For more information, please visit our website at www.prochoicemass.org.

 

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