Current New York State Legislation

Study and Reporting on Pregnancy Centers/Clinics:

Link to bill text:  A5499

New York bill, A5499, signed into law by NY Govorner Kathy Hochul, authorizes the commissioner of health to conduct a study and issue a report examining the unmet health and resource needs facing pregnant women in New York, as well as the impact of “limited-service pregnancy centers/clinics.” This is a very dangerous possibility. NIFLA defeated a very similar effort in Oregon in 2007. It will create all sorts of disruption against the work of pregnancy centers/clinics.

Problems and arguments against the bill:

• This legislation is discriminatory, as it only targets pregnancy centers/clinics and no other organizations in the healthcare industry. Such a study should also include abortion clinics.
• This is an obvious attempt to target pro-life pregnancy centers/clinics and is a part of a decades-long strategy from abortion supporters to legislate against the work of pro-life pregnancy centers/clinics. Those who claim pregnancy centers/clinics are providing illegal medical services are ill-informed. Any such study must be conducted by a nonpartisan group that contains medical voices that support the work of pregnancy centers/clinics. Please keep New York centers in your prayers.