Pregnancy Center Bill of Rights
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S.B. 113 – Sen. Michele Hoitenga |
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Current Status S.B. 112 was introduced on March 1, and was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee. Description S.B. 112 prohibits the state from forcing any pregnancy resource center to perform or refer a woman for an abortion. The state also can’t prohibit a pregnancy resource center from providing pregnancy care, counseling services, or any other service related to pregnancy and postpartum care simply because the PRC does not perform or provide a referral for abortion services. Background In 2022, a bill was introduced by Representative Jeffery Pepper (H.B. 6530) classifying pregnancy resource centers as “limited services pregnancy centers” and stating all such centers must not publish “a deceptive statement or deceptive omission regarding a pregnancy-related service.” Essentially, the bill was created as a way to force PRC’s to refer for abortions, stop speaking the truth about the effects of abortions, or face being shut down. H.B. 6530 bill never received a vote, but it is likely to be reintroduced this term. S.B. 112 was introduced in anticipation of an anti-PRC bill being re-introduced. Government censorship of speech should never be tolerated, and PRCs should be allowed to provide information without being labeled by the Attorney General as purveyors of “misinformation” just because pro-aborts don’t like PRCs providing alternatives to abortion. History As states began to liberalize their abortion laws, pregnancy resource centers started as a way to provide women help and support as an alternative to the “choice” of abortion. PRCs provide millions of dollars’ worth of goods and services to women facing unexpected pregnancies who would otherwise turn to abortion. PRC’s offer a range of free services including, pregnancy testing, counseling, information on adoption, pregnant and parenting classes, materials for newborns including diapers and formula, and some emergency and financial help for women. In 2022, the ballot initiative known as Prop 3 was added into our state constitution to create a new right to “reproductive freedom.” Though this new amendment affects the usage of many of Michigan’s current prolife laws, it does not, and should not, restrict PRC’s from offering their services to women and their children. The importance of such centers has only grown with the expansion of abortion access across Michigan. |