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Senate HHS advances bill to protect clinic access after hours of contested testimony
Summary
HB1961, intended to curb harassment and obstruction at health‑care facilities, moved out of the Senate HHS committee with amendments after split testimony: reproductive‑health providers and patient advocates urged protections for patients and staff, while religious and protest groups said the bill is vague and risks criminalizing peaceful speech.
The Senate Committee on Human Services advanced HB1961 — legislation aimed at protecting access to health‑care facilities — after extended testimony that divided providers, advocacy groups and opponents.
Supporters, including Planned Parenthood, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists’ Hawaii section and the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, described incidents of harassment and interference outside clinics that they said can deter patients from seeking time‑sensitive care. Dr. Malero Bravo, speaking for the Hawaii section of ACOG, said obstruction or…
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