HB 189 - Clinic Protection Act

• Creates Chapter 762, Florida Statutes, establishing the "Clinic Protection Act" to protect reproductive health services clients, providers, assistants, and facilities from interference and violence.

• Prohibits intentional acts of injury, intimidation, interference, or physical obstruction against reproductive health services clients, providers, or assistants, with separate penalties for violent and nonviolent violations.

• Establishes criminal penalties ranging from second-degree misdemeanors for nonviolent physical obstruction (up to 6 months imprisonment and $2,000-$5,000 fines) to first-degree misdemeanors for violent acts or property damage (up to 1 year imprisonment and $25,000-$50,000 fines).

• Authorizes civil actions for damages, allowing statutory damages of $1,000 for exclusively nonviolent violations and $5,000 for other violations, with Attorney General and state/city attorneys empowered to bring civil enforcement actions.

• Grants courts authority to issue restraining orders prohibiting or restricting photography and to allow use of pseudonyms in civil actions to protect the health, safety, and privacy of affected persons.

• Takes effect July 1, 2018.