BOSTON - The Massachusetts House was expected to vote today on a proposal to establish a 35-foot buffer zone around health clinics where abortions are performed.
The bill, passed by the Senate in October, is supported by abortion-rights advocates on and off Beacon Hill, who said the current law is inadequate. But abortion rights foes said the plan infringes on their right to protest.
For an Ipswich lawmaker, however, the legislation is a reminder of the potential for violence - like the double homicide committed in 1994 by another Ipswich resident - faced by workers at women's health clinics.
Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, said he'll vote to expand the buffer zone from the 18 feet now in place. Hill, who considers himself pro-choice, pointed out that the clinics do more than perform abortions.
"These are health care facilities, and they're not all about abortions," Hill said. When a patient goes to one "you should not be accosted."
Hill added he's received calls from constituents about a local connection to the issue: John Salvi, who murdered two women working at two Boston-area abortion clinics in 1994, was from Ipswich.
"It's an issue many people in Ipswich have not forgotten," Hill said.
The current law establishes an 18-foot buffer zone, but protesters can get closer than 6 feet with "consent," but the law doesn't define what consent is.
Under the bill before the House, the buffer zone would be 35 feet from the clinic's entrance and abortion protesters would be barred from entering the buffer zone.
The bill has the support of at least 75 House members and was co-sponsored by 11 of 16 area House lawmakers, including Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen.
Campbell's hometown also is the site of a Merrimack Valley Women's Health Services clinic. When it opened on Branch Street, the clinic's owners angered local businesses who said they didn't know abortions were being performed there, and the building they shared with the clinic was besieged by protesters.
Campbell, who describes herself as pro-choice, said the controversy over the clinic did not affect her decision. Rather, Campbell, who said she supports abortion in limited circumstances, said it was her belief that the current law isn't strong enough.
"Those who are there advocating against a woman's right to abortion have every right," Campbell said. "But it should be done as a matter of statement rather than have an impact on the individuals at the facility."
The bill, passed by the Senate in October, is supported by abortion-rights advocates on and off Beacon Hill, who said the current law is inadequate. But abortion rights foes said the plan infringes on their right to protest.
For an Ipswich lawmaker, however, the legislation is a reminder of the potential for violence - like the double homicide committed in 1994 by another Ipswich resident - faced by workers at women's health clinics.
Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, said he'll vote to expand the buffer zone from the 18 feet now in place. Hill, who considers himself pro-choice, pointed out that the clinics do more than perform abortions.
"These are health care facilities, and they're not all about abortions," Hill said. When a patient goes to one "you should not be accosted."
Hill added he's received calls from constituents about a local connection to the issue: John Salvi, who murdered two women working at two Boston-area abortion clinics in 1994, was from Ipswich.
"It's an issue many people in Ipswich have not forgotten," Hill said.
The current law establishes an 18-foot buffer zone, but protesters can get closer than 6 feet with "consent," but the law doesn't define what consent is.
Under the bill before the House, the buffer zone would be 35 feet from the clinic's entrance and abortion protesters would be barred from entering the buffer zone.
The bill has the support of at least 75 House members and was co-sponsored by 11 of 16 area House lawmakers, including Rep. Linda Dean Campbell, D-Methuen.
Campbell's hometown also is the site of a Merrimack Valley Women's Health Services clinic. When it opened on Branch Street, the clinic's owners angered local businesses who said they didn't know abortions were being performed there, and the building they shared with the clinic was besieged by protesters.
Campbell, who describes herself as pro-choice, said the controversy over the clinic did not affect her decision. Rather, Campbell, who said she supports abortion in limited circumstances, said it was her belief that the current law isn't strong enough.
"Those who are there advocating against a woman's right to abortion have every right," Campbell said. "But it should be done as a matter of statement rather than have an impact on the individuals at the facility."
The current law was passed in 2000. Angus McQuilken, vice president for public affairs at Planned Parenthood of Massachusetts, said the law is vague and difficult to enforce.
"This will give them ample opportunity to get their message across from a distance," McQuilken said, "while allowing health care workers and women to be free from harassment and intimidation."
Abortion foes, however, said the proposal infringes on their rights.
John Cronin of North Andover travels once a week to Merrimack Valley Women's Health Services to protest the abortions performed inside.
For some lawmakers, voting for the bill represents an agonizing decision. Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, was one of five local lawmakers who didn't sponsor the bill. He said he believes abortion results in the taking of a life, no matter when it occurs.
But Speliotis said he'll vote for the bill because he believes, as a "white, middle-class male," he would be wrong to impose his position on women who choose to have an abortion.
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