NYC Council Passes Bill Regulating Crisis Pregnancy Centers

This afternoon, the New York City Council approved legislation that will
regulate the deceptive practices of pregnancy counseling centers in the
city.  The measure requires crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) to post
signs in their facilities and on their websites disclosing to clients whether
they have a licensed medical provider on staff and whether they provide or
refer for prenatal care, emergency contraception or abortion.  The
centers must also post signs informing clients that the New York City
Department of Health encourages women who are or may be pregnant to consult with
a licensed medical provider. In addition, CPC staff must ensure client
confidentiality.  Nancy Northup, president of the Center for
Reproductive Rights, issued this statement in response:

“Thanks
to the hard work of Speaker Christine Quinn and Councilwoman Jessica Lappin,
the New York City Council has made a huge step in protecting women’s medical
privacy and making sure that women are getting the reproductive services that
they want. There’s a long documented history of crisis pregnancy centers
misleading and manipulating women seeking abortion and contraceptive services.
It’s about time that these facilities were required to tell the truth.”

The
Center for Reproductive Rights worked closely with City Councilmembers on the
legislation, and as part of its mission, advocates against proposed laws that
would limit women’s access to information, or force healthcare providers to
give their patients misleading information about their health.

Currently,
the Center is working with the City of Baltimore on a case
around similar legislation passed last year. Late last month, a district court
struck the Baltimore ordinance down, citing First Amendment violations. But the
Center and the City of Baltimore are currently appealing that decision to the
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.