Transmittal - 4/8/2022ERIN MENDENHALL
Mayor
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
P.O. BOX 145474
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 306
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84114-5474 WWW.SLCMAYOR.COM
TEL 801-535-7704
CITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTAL
______________________________ Date Received:
Rachel Otto, Chief of Staff
Date Sent to Council:
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: March 24, 2022
Dan Dugan, Chair
FROM: Rachel Otto, Chief of Staff to Mayor Mendenhall
SUBJECT: Ordinance Protecting Patient Privacy and Rights Near Healthcare Facilities
STAFF CONTACTS: Katie Lewis
Weston Clark
DOCUMENT TYPE: Proposed ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the proposed ordinance
BUDGET IMPACT: None
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
This proposed ordinance would help protect the privacy and security of patients utilizing or visiting
healthcare facilities in Salt Lake City. It would do this by setting clearer guidelines for the proper place for,
and the manner of, the exercise of free speech in the vicinity of patients and patient access points of all
medical facilities.
This ordinance would prohibit:
•a person from congregating, patrolling, picketing, or demonstrating in an area that extends 15 feet
from the entrance of a healthcare facility;
•a person from making an unreasonably loud noise within 30 feet of a healthcare facility, after being
ordered to stop or reduce the volume;
•a person from using any sound amplification device within 50 feet of a hospital, healthcare facility, or
mental health facility; and
•a person to remain within 10 feet of an individual approaching a healthcare facility after that person
verbally indicates they don’t want to speak with that person.
4/8/2022
4/8/2022
rachel otto (Apr 8, 2022 10:11 MDT)
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. _____ of 2022
(Ordinance related to buffer zones, enforcement around healthcare facilities)
WHEREAS, it is proposed that Section 9.28.110 of the Salt Lake City Code relating to
buffer zones around healthcare facilities, be enacted to protect patient access and safety when
seeking medical care;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. Enacting Salt Lake City Code Section 9.28.110. That Section 9.28.110, of
the Salt Lake City Code shall be enacted as follows:
Article I: DEFINITIONS:
For the purposes of this Section, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations
shall have the meanings given herein. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely
directory:
A. “Entrance” means any ramp, stairway, or walkway extending from the front door of a
healthcare facility to the sidewalk or park strip.
B. “Person” means either an individual or a group of two or more individuals acting
together.
C. “Healthcare facility” means a physician's office or mental health facility, or any building
in which a medical or mental health practitioner provides medical or mental health
services.
Article II: PROHIBITIONS AND ENFORCEMENT
A. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly congregate, patrol, picket, or demonstrate in a
zone extending 15 feet from any entrance to a healthcare facility.
B. It is unlawful for a person, after having been ordered by a law enforcement office to
cease or reduce the volume of such noise, to make an unreasonably loud noise within 30
feet of the entrance to a healthcare facility. It is unlawful for a person to use any sound
amplification device within 50 feet of the entrance to a hospital, healthcare, or mental
health facility or office.
C. Within 30 feet of a healthcare facility, it is unlawful for a person to remain within ten feet
of an individual approaching a healthcare facility after that person verbally indicates they
do not want to speak or otherwise engage with the actor.
D. Violation:
1. Any person violating this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed
$500.
2. If police officers have probable cause to believe a person violated this chapter,
they may (but are not required to) give a warning in lieu of a citation.
i. If the police have probable cause to believe that a person has violated this
chapter within seven days after receiving a warning, the responding
officers shall issue a citation to the person
E. The provisions of this section A-C of this chapter do not apply to the following
individuals while acting in their official capacity:
1. Police and other public safety officers;
2. Fire and rescue personnel;
3. Emergency services personnel; or
4. Employees or agents of the hospital, healthcare facility
SECTION 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah, this ______ day of ______________, 2022.
______________________________
Dan Dugan, Council Chair
ATTEST AND COUNTERSIGN:
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on _______________________.
Mayor's Action: _______Approved. _______Vetoed.
______________________________
MAYOR
______________________________
CITY RECORDER
(SEAL)
Bill No. ________ of 2022.
Published: ______________.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:____March 22, 2022
__________________________________
Katherine Lewis, City Attorney