§ 52.1002 — Definitions

§52.1002 Definitions

For purposes of this Division, defined terms appear in italics. The following definitions apply: Consent means to give permission through words or acts to what another person proposes through words or acts. Entrance and exit mean any door, gate, opening, or intersection of the public right-of-way and a private walk or path leading to a health care facility, place of worship, or school grounds, used by persons to gain access to or leave the premises of a health care facility, place of worship, or school grounds. Harass and harassment mean engaging in a knowing and willful actions or course of conduct directed at a specific person or persons that would seriously alarm or aggravate, cause substantial distress to, intimidate, terrorize, threaten, or torment a reasonable person. Harassment does not include consensual conversations or displaying a sign from more than eight feet away from a person or persons. Harassment includes approaching or following a person with the intent to harass once the person has indicated they do not want to be approached or followed; intentionally touching or causing physical contact with a person without that person’s consent; and using violent or threatening gestures toward a person. Health care facility means any medical or health facility, hospital, or clinic within the City that is licensed as a health care facility under state law or any building, office, or other place within the City regularly used by any health care provider licensed under California law to provide medical, nursing, counseling, referral, information, or advice to patients. Intimidate means use of credible threats of violence, oppression, or coercion with the intent to prevent a person from accessing a health care facility, place of worship, school grounds, or a parking lot. Obstruct means making ingress to or egress from a health care facility, place of worship, school grounds, or a parking lot impassable or unreasonably difficult or hazardous. Obstruct includes intentionally blocking or interfering with the safe or free passage of pedestrians or vehicles by any means, intentionally causing a pedestrian to take evasive action to avoid physical contact, and placing signs, tables, chairs, or other objects in a manner that blocks the flow of pedestrian traffic. Parking lot means property owned, leased, occupied, or otherwise held out to the public by a health care facility, place of worship, or school as a place where a person can park a vehicle for the purpose of accessing the health care facility, place of worship, or school grounds. Place of worship means a place in which religious worship, as defined under California law, is conducted. School grounds means the building or buildings set aside for purposes of giving instruction on those courses of study required by the California Education Code or maintained pursuant to standards set by the State Board of Education, or in which such instruction is actually given, plus any grounds surrounding the school that are enclosed by a fence, wall, hedge, or other manner of enclosure. School grounds does not include the grounds associated with a vocational or professional institution of higher education, including a community or junior college, college, or university and does not include a private residence where home schooling activities occur.

(Amended 12–16–1997 by O–18452 N.S.) (Retitled from “Private Right of Action” to “Definitions” and amended 6-11-2024 by O-21822 N.S.; effective 7-11-2024.)