The US state of California has enacted new legisaltion requiring all pregnancy care clinics licensed by the state to offer abortion information.
As it comes into force with the signature of Governor Jerry Brown, The ‘Reproductive FACT Act’ makes no allowance for conscientious objection or the pro-life credentials of many clinics. Under the Act’s provisions, all clinics must clearly post or distribute documentary information on how and where a patient may procure a termination.
Quoted by Lifesite News, the document must state: “California has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services (including all FDA-approved methods of contraception), prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women. To determine whether you qualify, contact the county social services office at [insert the telephone number].”
The legislation has been condemned as “a state-sponsored attack by the abortion industry on women” by Heartbeat International, which has responsibility for nearly 2,000 pregnancy care centres and maternity across America.
Such centres, under the FACT Act, and all those not providing medical services, must now post notices declaring that “This facility is not licensed as a medical facility by the State of California and has no licensed medical provider who provides or directly supervises the provision of services.”
Peggy Hartshorn, president of Heartbeat International accused Governor Brown of “it more difficult for women to find the help they need to make the healthiest decision for everyone involved in an unexpected pregnancy”.
Reacting to California’s move, Shannon Grove, a Republican Party Assemblywoman for the state said: “Does the government have a right to tell a newspaper what to write, a preacher what to preach, a private school what to teach? Of course not. So why is it okay for the government to force pro-life pregnancy centres against their will to advertise and promote government abortion services?”