Gov. Patrick: I'll Sign Abortion Clinic Bill Soon

Gov. Deval Patrick says he plans to sign a bill designed to tighten security around abortion clinics in Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts House and Senate on Tuesday gave final passage to the legislation that would let police disperse one or more individuals who are substantially impeding access to a clinic. Those individuals would have to stay at least 25 feet from the clinic's entrances for up to eight hours.

The 25-foot boundary would have to be clearly marked and the regulations posted in public.

Patrick said Tuesday he'll sign the bill soon.

The legislation is a response to the recent Supreme Court ruling striking down a 2007 Massachusetts law that established protest-free 35-foot "buffer zones" around the entrances of abortion clinics.

Abortion opponents have said they would head back to court if the proposal is approved.