Letter Sent To Reproductive Health Care Clinics In New York; Urges Individuals To Report Potential Violations Of Federal Or State Law That Ensure Patients And Staff Are Able To Freely Access These Clinics
(Long Island, NY) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman sent a letter to reproductive health clinics in New York to underscore his office’s continued commitment to enforcement of the federal, state and local laws that ensure patient and staff access to facilities that provide reproductive health services across New York State.
The Attorney General’s office has taken action to protect reproductive rights in several areas. In 2012, the Attorney General secured a new court order which expanded a buffer zone against protesters at Utica Planned Parenthood facility. In October, the Attorney General announced he is leading a coalition of a dozen states in filing a friend-of-the-court brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari to review a federal appellate court decision upholding two provisions of Texas law that significantly restrict access to abortion services in that state.
“In light of last week’s horrific tragedy at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado, we are committed to ensuring that all New Yorkers have full and safe access to necessary reproductive health care services,” *Attorney General Schneiderman* said. “I urge health care providers, their staff and community members to immediately report any potential violations of the law to my office.”
The letter urges those who become aware of potential violations of the state’s clinic protection laws or believe that clinic staff, patients, or other persons are victims of unlawful harassment, to contact the Civil Rights Bureau at (212) 416-8250 or send an email to Civil.Rights@ag.ny.gov
