Massachusetts Acting to Extend Abortion Buffer

Today, Gov. Deval L. Patrick gave the final approval on a bill that requires protesters to stand at least 35 feet from clinics that offer abortions. He will sign next week and it will be the strictest state law that establishes a fixed zone that protesters can't enter in the nation. This law will protect the patients and staff members entering reproductive health clinics that offer abortions. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and the House 122-28. The current law states that protesters must be 6 feet from a person in an 18-foot zone outside a clinic’s doors but authorities said it was too difficult to enforce. Opponents of the new bill say it violates free speech rights.