Bill > H522

Introduced Session

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY OF CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS BY DEFINING AS A DECEPTIVE OR UNFAIR PRACTICE THE ACT OF KNOWINGLY ADVERTISING THAT ABORTION OR EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE WHEN THE PERSON OR ENTITY PUBLISHING THE ADVERTISEMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES; AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO EVALUATE AND REPORT ON CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE. Whereas, in North Carolina, where people have the right to continue a pregnancy or terminate a pregnancy by abortion; and Whereas, pregnant individuals need honest, timely, and accurate information from qualified medical professionals to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and reproductive healthcare options; and Whereas, according to the American Medical Association's Journal of Ethics, anti-abortion centers, also known as "crisis pregnancy centers," aim "to prevent abortions by persuading people that adoption or parenting is a better option"; and Whereas, anti-abortion centers are the ground-level presence of a well-coordinated anti-abortion movement; and Whereas, anti-abortion centers, with taxpayer dollars diverted to them, greatly outnumber abortion clinics and comprehensive reproductive healthcare centers in our State; and Whereas, anti-abortion centers typically advertise themselves as providers of comprehensive healthcare even though most do not employ licensed medical professionals or provide referrals for emergency contraception or abortion care; and Whereas, low-income patients have been deprived of access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare, including reproductive healthcare, for the last decade while these anti-abortion centers have been receiving taxpayer dollars; and Whereas, many anti-abortion centers use deceptive advertising tactics to target and acquire clients from historically marginalized groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color; those who live in rural areas; LGBTQ+ communities; young people; students; people with lower incomes; undocumented people; and people for whom English is not their first language; and Whereas, some anti-abortion centers go so far as to advertise so-called "medication abortion reversal," a dangerous and deceptive practice that is not supported by science or clinical standards, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and the American Medical Association states, "[Physicians] do not and cannot, without misleading them, tell their patients that it may be possible to reverse a medication abortion"; and Whereas, time is a critical factor for individuals seeking abortion care; and no one should be deceived, manipulated, or face unnecessary delays when seeking support or healthcare during pregnancy, whether they plan to continue a pregnancy or terminate the pregnancy; Now, therefore,

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Deb Butler (D)*,  Sarah Crawford (D)*,  Julie Von Haefen (D)*,  Vernetta Alston (D),  Cynthia Ball (D),  Mary Belk (D),  Gloristine Brown (D),  Kanika Brown (D),  Allen Buansi (D),  Laura Budd (D),  Maria Cervania (D),  Aisha Dew (D),  Pricey Harrison (D),  Zack Hawkins (D),  Beth Helfrich (D),  Ray Jeffers (D),  Carolyn Logan (D),  Marcia Morey (D),  Lindsey Prather (D),  Renée Price (D),  Robert Reives (D), 

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 03/27/2025)

Official Document