Massachusetts Bill Would “Gag” Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers That Help Moms, Save Babies
Massachusetts pro-life leaders warned this week about a new plan by state lawmakers to “gag” pro-life pregnancy centers that provide vital services to pregnant and parenting mothers.
On Monday, the Committee on Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure is scheduled to hear testimony about the pro-abortion bill, House Bill 377, and the Massachusetts Family Institute is urging pro-lifers to attend.
“This bill is an underhanded attempt to crack down on Big Abortion’s main competitor: pro-life PRCs [pregnancy resource centers],” the pro-life organization said. “Planned Parenthood and other abortion businesses have lobbied for this bill because PRCs impact their bottom line.”
The lead sponsor of the bill, state Rep. Tram T. Nguyen, D-Andover, said she wants to crack down on “deceptive” and “unfair” advertising practices involving pregnancy-related services.
But Massachusetts Family Institute leaders said Nguyen’s bill discriminates against pro-life organizations and, if enacted, would violate their right to free speech.
For example, the bill prohibits organizations that provide pregnancy-related services from making “deceptive” statements, coupled with a $1,000 fine per violation. However, the language only applies to pro-life organizations; abortion facilities that deceive women about abortion risks or their unborn baby’s development would not be penalized.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Massachusetts state lawmakers and urge them to oppose this legislation.
Another problem is that the bill does not define “deceptive.” Many pregnancy resource centers provide medical referrals to women for prenatal and maternal care, but some abortion activists claim that is deceptive because pro-life organizations do not refer women for elective abortions, according to the Massachusetts Family Institute.
“If passed this bill would violate the First Amendment free speech rights of PRCs and benefit Big Abortion at the expense of vulnerable mothers and babies,” the organization warned. “We can stop this bill but only if you contact your legislators, provide testimony, or both. … No one should be censored for supporting life in MA, most especially charitable organizations that help women and babies.”
Massachusetts residents may sign up to testify at the hearing; pre-registration is required online by Friday.
Pro-life pregnancy resource centers serve as havens of information and support for pregnant mothers and unborn babies, bucking against a society that claims killing unborn babies in abortions is safe, normal and good. At these community-based charities, women learn that there are risks to abortion. They learn about their unborn baby’s development and receive financial and emotional support. Pro-life organizations also provide evidence-based information that women may not learn anywhere else, especially not at an abortion facility.
But because they share the truth, pregnancy centers have become a target of attacks, from arson and vandalism, to legislation, to media hit pieces and slanderous pro-abortion campaigns.
Pro-life advocates understand how critically important support is for pregnant mothers. It could mean life or death for her child. A new peer-reviewed study found that two-thirds of women seeking abortions would have chosen life if they had better support for themselves and their babies.
In 2019 alone, the Charlotte Lozier Institute estimates pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. gave away 1.3 million packs of diapers, more than 730,000 pregnancy tests, nearly half a million ultrasounds, more than 2 million baby outfits, as well as counseling and numerous other services.
ACTION ALERT: Contact Massachusetts state lawmakers and urge them to oppose this legislation.
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