Baltimore City Council Seeks to Regulate Pregnancy Centers
and Tarnish Our Reputation

City of Baltimore City Council is considering Bill 09-0406, “Limited-Service Pregnancy Centers – Disclaimers,” that seeks to damage our credibility by implying that pregnancy centers somehow mislead clients about the services they provide. It mandates that a pregnancy center must post a sign in the waiting room in English and in Spanish stating that the center does not provide or make referral for abortion or birth-control services. The bill also states that the center will be subject to a fine of $500 per day for violating this mandate.

No other business or non-profit organization is required by law to advertise what they do not provide. This is the first step to government regulation/limitation of our operations and it tarnishes the reputation of pregnancy centers that are committed to operating with honesty and integrity in accordance with Our Commitment of Care and Competence.

The City of Baltimore City Council’s Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee will hear this bill on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Heartbeat International President Peggy Hartshorn has submitted testimony opposing this bill. (Click here to read the testimony.)

If you live in Maryland, you can act today to protect pregnancy centers: Please immediately call or email the 14 city council members and express opposition to this bill. Click here for council members contact information.