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Committee backs ordinance to expand 100-foot buffer zones around reproductive-health facilities
Summary
The committee forwarded an ordinance to extend protected buffer zones to 100 feet around reproductive-health facilities, require annual SFPD training and periodic planning meetings with facilities; SFPD and Planned Parenthood witnesses urged the change after describing repeated harassment of patients and staff.
An ordinance to expand buffer zones and strengthen enforcement around reproductive-health facilities was advanced to the full Board with a positive recommendation. Sam Logan, presenting for Supervisor Catherine Stephanie, said the measure aligns local protections with California law (AB 1356) and cited a rise in harassment and impersonation of clinic staff, including recent incidents documented by Planned Parenthood Northern California.
"This ordinance seeks to expand existing protections around reproductive health facilities throughout San Francisco," Logan said, citing AB 1356 and the need to protect patients and staff. Diana Roce, policy and public affairs director at the San Francisco Police Department, told the committee the department supports the ordinance and the requirement for annual training so officers can enforce laws that protect facility access while safeguarding First Amendment rights.
Planned Parenthood volunteers described repeated protester harassment — use of megaphones close to patients, blocking drop-off zones and handing out materials to patients — and urged passage. The committee voted to forward the ordinance as a committee report with positive recommendation; the item will appear on the Board agenda for final action.
