The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday directed its attorneys to draft an ordinance that would create "bubble zones" to ensure people have safe access to health-care centers, clinics, houses of worship and schools in unincorporated areas -- barring protesters from the zones.
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The ordinance will be modeled after Colorado's bubble zone law, which makes it a misdemeanor to block a person's ability to enter or exit such facilities. The L.A. ordinance would prohibit a person from approaching an individual within a radius of 100 feet from entrances to affected locations with the purpose of passing a leaflet, displaying a sign or engaging in oral protest.
"The exercise of a person's right to protest must be balanced against another person's right to access and obtain health care services, access education, and exercise their freedom to worship in a safe and unobstructed manner," according to the motion by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
In a statement, Horvath said, "Even here in Los Angeles County, we have seen how intimidation is used to prevent community members from entering facilities to receive essential services -- bubble zones are how we meaningfully protect personal safety."
The motion also encourages cities within the county to adopt similar measures.
The proposal was criticized by some anti-abortion advocates who said the measure would prevent them from protesting outside clinics or handing printed materials to people entering them.
Once crafted, the proposed ordinance will return to the board for approval.
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