The law, being challenged in court, impedes the ability of pro-life pregnancy centers to continue providing help and support to the state’s women and families. The law censors the centers’ ability to advertise their services and to counsel women against abortion.
It specifically targets pro-life pregnancy centers as “limited services” providers because they do not refer for or perform abortions. Under the law, the state attorney general has the authority to fine pregnancy centers up to $10,000 if she believes its life-affirming messages are misleading.
The law applies only to pro-life pregnancy centers. An abortion facility that provides identical information would not be subject to the law.
Jean Marie Davis is the executive director of Branches Pregnancy Resource Center. She is also a survivor of human trafficking.
Her center, along with help from Alliance Defending Freedom, is challenging Vermont state officials for unconstitutionally restricting the centers’ speech and provision of services.
She says pregnancy care centers are hardly the enemy. They offer women lifesaving care and resources, but Vermont has targeted these centers in an effort to close them down.
Davis says, “A lot of women here are either being prostituted, living in homeless shelters, or on the streets, or in low-income housing… we’re here for them.”