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Bill Would Force Crisis Centers to Promote Abortion

CBN

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Crisis pregnancy centers in California could soon be forced to promote abortions.

Legislation currently being pushed through by state Democrats would require all licensed centers to notify their clients of state programs that offer abortion services.

The Reproductive FACT Act, or AB 775, was approved by the California Assembly Health committee in April.

"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 and free options available and a phone number," Assemblywoman Autumn Burke, one of the bill's authors, said.

Critics note, however, that the bill fails to offer a conscience clause or opt out for centers that offer pregnant women assistance without abortions or abortion referrals.

Those who violate the mandate would face a $500 fine for first offense and a $1,000 penalty for each subsequent offense.

"What this bill does in a nutshell is to force crisis pregnancy centers to publicize abortion," Vicki Evans, the archdiocese's Respect Life coordinator, told Catholic San Francisco.

Lori Arnold, with California Family Alliance, emailed her concerns about the bill to LifeNews.com.

"California's grisly abortion industry is in the midst of a government-sponsored boom," she said.

"In 2013, the state waived safety regulations for abortion clinics and reduced the medical standards required to perform abortions by allowing certain nurses to do the surgeries," she said. "And last year, the California Department of Health cut all medical reimbursements by 10 percent while increasing taxpayer funding of abortions providers by 40 percent."

If passed through the Judiciary Committee, the bill will then move to the Appropriations Committee before being sent to the Assembly floor. No timeline has been announced for the follow-up hearing.

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