LOCAL LAW NO. "H" FOR 2022
A LOCAL LAW OF THE COUNTY OF ALBANY, NEW YORK PREVENTING INTERFERENCE WITH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
Introduced: 8/8/22
By Mr. A. Joyce, Ms. Lekakis, Messrs. Feeney, Reinhardt, Reidy, Efekoro, Fein, Mss. Plotsky, McLean Lane, Messrs. Miller, Ward, Cleary, Clay, Ethier, Commisso, Mss. McLaughlin, Chapman, Mr. Simpson, Ms. Willingham, Messrs. Peter, Kuhn, Mayo, O'Brien, Ms. Cunningham, Messrs. Ricard, R. Joyce and Domalewicz:
BE IT ENACTED by the Legislature of the County of Albany as follows:
SECTION 1. Title
This local law shall be known as the "Protected Access to Healthcare Act for Albany County."
SECTION 2. Legislative intent and purpose.
A. This Legislature finds and determines that access to health care facilities for the purpose of obtaining medical counseling and treatment is imperative for citizens of this county.
B. This Legislature further finds and determines that the exercise of a person's right to protest or counsel against certain medical procedures must be balanced against another person's right to obtain medical counseling and treatment in an unobstructed manner.
C. This Legislature further finds and determines that preventing the willful obstruction of a person's access to medical counseling and treatment at a health care facility is a matter of countywide concern.
D. The Legislature of the County of Albany therefore declares that it is appropriate to enact legislation that prohibits a person from knowingly obstructing another person's entry to or exit from a health care facility.
SECTION 3. Definitions
a. The term "approach" shall mean to move nearer in distance to someone.
b. The term "eight (8) feet" shall be measured from the part of a person's body that is nearest to the closest part of another person's body, where the term "body" includes any natural or artificial extension of a person, including, but not limited to, an outstretched arm or ha...
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