Governor Vetoes HB 1625, Preserves NH’s Patient Safety Zone Law
For Immediate Release: May 27, 2022
CONCORD - On Friday, Governor Chris Sununu vetoed HB 1625, which would have repealed New Hampshire’s patient safety zone law for reproductive health centers. As our nation prepares for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion protest activity is expected to increase in states where abortion remains legal.
Statement from Liz Canada, Advocacy Manager for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund:
“When the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, we know extreme anti-abortion protestors will travel to states where abortion remains legal. Reproductive health centers need every available tool in the public safety toolbox, including New Hampshire’s patient safety zone, and we applaud Governor Sununu for vetoing this bill that jeopardized the health, safety, and privacy of Granite Staters seeking reproductive health care.”
BACKGROUND:
- HB 1625 would have repealed NH’s patient safety zone law. It passed with bipartisan support in 2014 to protect patient and provider safety and privacy at reproductive health centers.
- The original law allows health centers to establish flexible and optional patient safety zones of up to 25 feet and it was intentionally designed to strike a balance between patient safety and an individual’s First Amendment rights.
- On Wednesday, May 4, Governor Sununu pledged to veto HB 1625 if it reached his desk.
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Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 5 health centers in Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. Last year we saw more than 10,000 patients at these sites. PPNNE was named a 2021 Guardian of Excellence Award® winner by Press Ganey, the national leader in health care consumer and workforce engagement. Press Ganey recognizes PPNNE as a top-performing health care organization, achieving the 95th percentile or above for performance in patient experience, out of more than 20,000 medical practices.
Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund (PPNHAF) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England in New Hampshire. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.