Victory! Crisis Pregnancy Centers Regulation Passes in Montgomery County, Md.

In November of last year NOW posted a blog piece about legislation in Montgomery County (Md.) that would address Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPC) and their practice of spreading misleading information about contraceptives and abortion services. NOW is happy to report that the regulation, introduced by Council member (and longtime NOW member) Duchy Trachtenberg, has been approved by the Montgomery County Council with a 7-2 vote.

Women's rights organzations oppose CPCs' efforts to spread false and inaccurate information to pregnant women. CPCs frequently claim that condoms are ineffective in preventing pregnancy and protecting against STDs, that abortions and oral contraceptives can cause breast cancer, and that having an abortion will make future pregnancy impossible or result in "post-abortion syndrome" -- the existence of which has been disproved by credible scientific studies. Futhermore, a report by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) found that out of 23 CPCs receiving federal funding, 20 provided misleading information regarding the health effects of abortion.

Councilmember Trachtenberg's regulation would requrie all pregnancy centers (including CPCs) without medical professional personnel to post signs informing potential clients of that fact. The signs will also say that the Montgomery County Health Officer advises women who are or might be pregnant to consult with a licensed health care provider.

NOW applauds Trachtenberg's efforts to ensure that pregnant women receive accurate information at such a critical time in their lives and hopes that other elected representatives will follow Trachtenberg's example.

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