Planned Parenthood Applauds Bipartisan Rejection of Buffer Zone Repeal Bill

CONCORD - Planned Parenthood applauded Thursday the New Hampshire House’s 228-141 bipartisan rejection of HB124, which would have repealed the state’s buffer zone law.

The House voted to concur with the House Judiciary Committee’s inexpedient to legislate recommendation, reaffirming the Granite State’s bipartisan support for patient privacy and safety.

The buffer zone law, which passed in 2014, protects patient safety and privacy at reproductive health centers in the Granite State by allowing health centers to establish patient safety zones of up to 25 feet, if they elect to do so. The law is designed to strike a balance with patient safety and First Amendment rights.

Since the buffer zone was signed into law, several bills have been introduced that attempted to repeal it; all have been rejected in a bipartisan manner, and the New Hampshire House continued that tradition Thursday by rejecting HB124 with overwhelming bipartisan support.

Statement from Kayla Montgomery, Director of Advocacy & Organizing, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England/Planned Parenthood New Hampshire Action Fund:

“By rejecting HB124 today, the New Hampshire House has reaffirmed that it prioritizes patient privacy and the right to make one’s own personal health care decisions without fear of harassment or intimidation. We’re excited to see the new legislature begin the biennium by taking a strong stance in support of patient privacy, and we look forward to working with them to continue our state’s longstanding bipartisan commitment to protecting and expanding access to reproductive health care.”

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Planned Parenthood of Northern New England (PPNNE) is the largest provider of reproductive and sexual health care for women, men and young people across the State of New Hampshire. We serve New Hampshire residents through 6 health centers in Claremont, Derry, Exeter, Keene, Manchester and White River Junction, VT. Last year we saw nearly 12,000 patients at these sites.

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. The Action Fund makes independent expenditures on behalf of or in opposition to targeted candidates for public office. Follow us on Twitter. PPNHAF maintains a separate, segregated political committee and fund to make direct campaign contributions to endorsed candidates (the PAC)