House Bill 452 revises North Carolina’s criminal offense of obstruction of health care facilities. The bill keeps in place prohibitions against blocking or delaying access to a health care facility, injuring or threatening people who are obtaining, aiding, or providing health care services, and it adds a new restriction on certain close-range conduct near facility entrances. Specifically, a person would be prohibited, without consent, from knowingly approaching within 8 feet of another person in a public way or sidewalk area within 100 feet of a health care facility entrance for the purpose of handing out leaflets, displaying signs, or engaging in oral protest, education, or counseling.
The bill also revises the penalty structure for violations. A first violation of the obstruction or threat provisions remains a Class 2 misdemeanor, a second conviction within three years becomes a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a third or subsequent conviction within three years becomes a Class I felony. The act would take effect December 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.
HB452 would amend G.S. 14-277.4, expanding the statute governing conduct around health care facilities and clarifying criminal penalties for repeated violations. It would affect protesters, demonstrators, and others engaging in leafleting, counseling, or oral advocacy near facility entrances, as well as individuals who block access or threaten patients, visitors, or health care workers. The bill would create a new enforceable buffer zone and consent-based restriction on close approach in designated areas near health care facilities, while preserving the existing anti-obstruction and anti-threat provisions.
There is no committee transcript or recorded vote history available in the provided materials, so no direct public debate or formal sentiment can be assessed from those sources. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears aimed at strengthening protections for access to health care facilities and the safety of patients and providers, which suggests support from proponents of clinic access and opposition from those concerned about limits on protest and speech near health care sites.
The main point of contention is likely the new 8-foot, consent-based restriction on approaching individuals within 100 feet of a health care facility entrance for leafleting, signs, protest, education, or counseling. Supporters would likely view this as a safety and access measure to prevent harassment, intimidation, and delay of care, while critics may argue it restricts free speech, peaceful protest, and public sidewalk activity. The felony escalation for repeat violations may also be controversial because it increases criminal exposure for conduct that can include expressive activity near health care facilities.