(Pregnancy Help News) — A first-of-its-kind law in Montana protecting the rights of pregnancy centers across the state is being praised by pro-life leaders and could serve as a blueprint for similar legislation in other states.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the Pregnancy Center Autonomy and Rights of Expression Act (H.B. 388) into law earlier this month. The landmark measure bars local and state governments from: 1) requiring pregnancy centers to promote or perform abortions, 2) mandating abortion-related signage or advertising, 3) restricting information about abortion pill reversal, or 4) interfering with their counseling services or hiring decisions.
It had passed the Montana House 57-41 and Senate 31-19 and lauds the work of pregnancy centers, saying they provide “pregnancy tests, peer counseling, 24-hour telephone hotlines, childbirth and parenting classes, referrals to community health care, adoption referrals, and other support services” while encouraging “women to make positive life choices by equipping them with complete and accurate information regarding their pregnancy options and the development of their unborn children.”
Pregnancy centers outnumber abortion centers in Montana.
“The life-saving work of pregnancy help is only controversial to those beholden to the Big Abortion agenda,” Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International, told Pregnancy Help News. “We are grateful for Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signing the Care Act to protect pregnancy help centers from their bullying tactics.”
Heartbeat is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations in the U.S. and the world.
Gianforte signed the bill into law as pregnancy centers across the nation come under attack from pro-abortion government leaders.
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In Massachusetts, Gov. Maura Healey last year launched a campaign highlighting what she called the “dangers and potential harm” of pregnancy help centers, backed by a $1 million investment from the state legislature.
In Illinois, a law that required pregnancy centers and doctors to present abortion as a beneficial option during consultations was struck down in April by a federal judge, who ruled it violated the First Amendment.
Just this month in Texas, a federal appeals court ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton can proceed with his lawsuit against Yelp, alleging the company misled consumers by labeling crisis pregnancy centers with disclaimers about their services.
“Pregnancy help centers provide compassionate, community-based help and, unfortunately, need right-minded government help against the deep-pocketed attacks of abortion providers and their allies,” Godsey said. “Women should always have a choice other than abortion, and pregnancy centers helping find alternatives is a must for every community in Montana and around the country.”
“Applause for the Care Act and the Montana elected officials who have stood strong in its support,” he said.
The Montana law’s House sponsor, Republican Rep. Amy Regier, previously told Pregnancy Help News the law was needed due to “government efforts to dictate to pregnancy centers.”
“In 2023 and 2024, more than 30 measures were introduced in 18 states attacking pregnancy centers,” Regier said. “Pregnancy care centers affirm life and affirm the dignity of women.”
Denise Burke, senior counsel of the pro-life legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, said the Montana law is a response to “real and growing threats” against pregnancy help centers.
“Thankfully, the CARE Act prohibits state and local officials from discriminating against pregnancy centers simply because they do not provide, counsel in favor of, or refer for abortion,” Burke said. “It also ensures that pregnancy centers can continue to provide meaningful, life-affirming care to women, families, and the communities they serve.”
The law allows pregnancy centers whose rights have been violated to file a suit for actual damages or statutory damages of at least $50,000 — whichever is greater — along with attorney’s fees and court costs.
Derek Oestreicher, chief legal counsel for the Montana Family Foundation, told legislators during a committee hearing that pregnancy centers “have increasingly faced legal and regulatory pressure to violate their consciences by referring for abortions or including pro-abortion messaging in their services.”
The law, he said, allows the centers to operate “according to deeply held convictions.”
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published at Pregnancy Help News and is reprinted here with permission.
