Article Summary –
Pennsylvania state Rep. Lindsay Powell is spearheading House Bill 670 to amend state law to criminalize blocking access to reproductive health care facilities, acting as a safeguard if the federal FACE Act is repealed. Powell’s initiative follows President Trump’s pardoning of anti-abortion activists, raising concerns about increased protests and aggression at clinics, furthering the urgency for state-level protection. Despite opposition from anti-abortion groups arguing the FACE Act infringes on First Amendment rights, Powell emphasizes the bill’s intention to balance free speech while ensuring access to necessary health care, seeking bipartisan support in the legislature.
Pennsylvania state Rep. Lindsay Powell is calling on lawmakers to back legislation safeguarding patients and providers at state reproductive health care clinics.
Powell sponsors House Bill 670, aiming to amend Titles 18 and 42 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to criminalize blocking access to reproductive health facilities.
In a memo on Jan. 24, Powell stated, “The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, a federal law, protects individuals’ rights to reproductive health care by criminalizing access obstructions. I plan to introduce a state version of the FACE Act to ensure Pennsylvania continues to protect residents seeking reproductive health care.”
Powell’s memo followed President Donald Trump’s pardon of 23 anti-abortion activists, convicted under the FACE Act for blocking clinics in Washington, D.C., Tennessee, Michigan, and New York City.
The FACE Act, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, prohibits “intentionally injuring, intimidating, or interfering with” anyone obtaining or providing reproductive health services.
If approved, Powell told the Pennsylvania Independent, H.B. 670 would serve as a safeguard if the Trump administration repeals the federal law.
“This week, we had a rally with several members from across the commonwealth, highlighting critical legislation to protect women’s reproductive rights, including our H.B. 670,” Powell said.
Powell was joined on April 7 at the state Capitol by state representatives, Speaker of the House Joanna E. McClinton, and Signe Espinoza, executive director of Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates.
“The Trump administration has been unbridled in changes our constituents oppose. We’re proactively creating bills and policies addressing federal threats of cuts and underfunding,” Powell stated.
Anti-abortion groups argue the FACE Act should be repealed, claiming it violates First Amendment rights.
Powell asserts her bill balances free speech while preventing care obstruction: “It’s crucial to uphold differing views without beliefs hindering someone from necessary care.”
Melissa Reed, Planned Parenthood Keystone CEO, noted increased clinic protests since Trump’s pardons. “Protesters are more aggressive with staff and patients,” Reed said.
Reed believes Trump’s pardons embolden protesters “because their prior actions were pardoned.”
“At a Pittsburgh provider, protesters gathered outside, emboldened by protections granting jail bailouts or sentence commutations,” Powell said.
Michael Gibson, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania’s communications director, expressed concerns over potential escalation to violence, emphasizing the need for reliable reporting channels.
The bill requires passage by the House and Senate before reaching Gov. Josh Shapiro.
“We hope for bipartisan support,” Powell said. “Republicans across the commonwealth and country respect individual health care decisions and we hope they’ll advocate for this bill to reach the governor.”
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