Title
Ordinance supplementing the Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title 6, Conduct, Article I: Regulated Rights and Actions, by adding a new Chapter at 623 "Public Safety at Health Care Facilities," to allow for unimpeded access to hospitals and/or health care facilities and providing penalties for violations of this ordinance.
Body
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Pittsburgh Code of Ordinances, Title 6, Conduct, Article I: Regulated Rights and Actions, is hereby supplemented by adding a new Chapter at 623 "Public Safety at Health Care Facilities," as follows:
CHAPTER 623: PUBLIC SAFETY AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
ยง 623.01 INTENT OF COUNCIL
The City Council recognizes that access to Health Care Facilities for the purpose of obtaining medical counseling and treatment is important for residents and visitors to the City. The exercise of a person's right to protest or counsel against certain medical procedures is a First Amendment activity that must be balanced against another person's right to obtain medical counseling and treatment in an unobstructed manner; and
The City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has been consistently called upon in at least two locations within the City to mediate the disputes between those seeking medical counseling and treatment and those who would counsel against their actions so as to (i) avoid violent confrontations which would lead to criminal charges and (ii) enforce existing City Ordinances which regulate use of public sidewalks and other conduct;
Such services require a dedicated and indefinite appropriation of policing services, which is being provided to the neglect of the law enforcement needs of the Zones in which these facilities exist.
The City seeks a more efficient and wider deployment of its services which will help also reduce the risk of violence and provide unobstructed access to Health Care Facilities by setting clear guidelines for activity ...
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