California Pregnancy Centers Would Have To Tell Visitors Abortion Is An Option Under New Bill
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- Crisis pregnancy centers in California would have to tell visitors that abortion is an option under legislation approved by the state Assembly.
AB775 advanced Tuesday over Republican objections that it would violate free speech protections.
The bill responds to reports of misinformation at pregnancy centers that are opposed to abortion.
Pregnancy centers would have to post notices saying that reproductive health services including abortion are available to pregnant women. They would also have to disclose if they are not medically licensed.
The bill's Democratic authors, Autumn Burke of Inglewood and David Chiu of San Francisco, say women should know all options for pregnancy.
"We're not asking them to speak the word abortion. We're asking them to post the information, to provide the information and the only information we're asking them to provide is that there are low cost nd free options available and a phone number," Burke said.
Republican lawmakers say the provisions amount to compelling private groups to spread government messages.
"Those clinics that are private clinics right now are not required by law to provide all of the options that should be provided to every woman per her constitutional rights," Burke said.
The legislation heads to the Senate after passing on a 46-25 party-line vote.
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