2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25100270D

SENATE BILL NO. 1324

Offered January 12, 2025

Prefiled January 12, 2025

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-415.1, relating to obstructing health care facility access; penalties.

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Patrons—Surovell and Ebbin

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Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 2 of Chapter 9 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-415.1 as follows:

§ 18.2-415.1. Obstructing health care facility access; penalties.

A. For purposes of this section, "health care facility" means any institution, place, building, or agency that is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to administer or provide medical treatment in the Commonwealth.

B. Any person who knowingly obstructs, detains, hinders, impedes, blocks, or delays another person's entry to or exit from a health care facility is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

C. No person shall knowingly approach another person within eight feet of such person in the public way or sidewalk area within a radius of 40 feet from any entrance door to a health care facility, unless such other person consents to the approach, for the purpose of giving, tendering, or exhibiting any material to, displaying a sign to, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling with such other person.

Any person who violates this subsection is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.

D. Nothing in this section shall be construed to place any restriction on the content of any message that anyone may wish to communicate to anyone else, either inside or outside the regulated areas.