Massively unpopular anti-pregnancy center bill shot down in Nevada

Nevada Right to Life has successfully organized against a state bill that sought to regulate pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) by accusing them of “deceptive practices.”

The bill, AB 101, aimed to limit the services of Nevada PRCs and potentially shut them down, but it was successfully defeated after being introduced earlier this month. Polling revealed that 98% of respondents were opposed to the bill as of the time of this article’s publication.

“Due to Nevada Right To Life’s efforts in organizing advocates across the state, the bill was completely amended and replaced, but we killed it anyway. AB101 is dead,” said Nevada Right to Life. The group stated that “the amended language created…  vague deceptive trade practices that could’ve been used to go after pregnancy centers” for offering “abortion pill reversal” but “also would’ve impacted every business in the State of Nevada.”

Rep. David Orentilcher, a former Planned Parenthood board member, was a sponsor of AB 101, which used vague language, including the term “deceptive” without providing a definition. It states, “Section 4 of this bill prohibits a health care facility from making or disseminating to the public a deceptive statement concerning any service that is offered or is not offered by the health care facility.” Bills from other states using similar language have attempted to force pro-life centers to advertise for abortion, and pro-abortion advocates have erroneously claimed that pro-life centers lie to women about fetal development and the risks associated with abortion. The bill would have allowed penalties to be placed on any health care facility that was found to be acting ‘deceptively.’

“The bill’s vague and subjective language—using terms like ‘deceptive’ without clear legal definition—opens the door for unfair targeting of pregnancy centers. This is not about protecting women; it’s about silencing us and the life-affirming work we do,” said Nevada Right to Life in an email.

READ: The glaring issues with California’s attack against pregnancy centers over ‘abortion pill reversal’

According to that organization, AB 101 also threatened to block access to “abortion pill reversal,” preventing women who changed their minds after taking the first of the two-drug abortion pill regimen from seeking help to stop the process and save their babies. The treatment involves the administration of progesterone to outcompete the progesterone-blocking effects of mifepristone. Progesterone is a natural pregnancy hormone that has been safely administered to women at risk of miscarriage for decades.

“What happened to women having a choice? Are we only allowed to choose abortion? This bill denies women the option to change their minds and continue their pregnancies if they regret their initial decision. It’s a direct attack on the very concept of choice and freedom,” said Nevada Right to Life.

Though the pro-life organization is considering this a win, it will be carefully watching legislation so it can be prepared to fight back against attacks on pro-life organizations.

“Our team at Real Choices — myself, our nurse, and our Adoption Director — were ready to testify in Carson today. This miracle is John 1:5 come to life: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.’ Thank you to God, all of our supporters, staff, and past clients who rallied to save Real Choices,” said Nicki Brus, executive director of Real Choices Women’s Center, said in a statement.

Melissa Clement, president of Nevada Right to Life, also stated, “Given the malicious intent of the original bill, Nevada Right to Life will be monitoring it closely. Sincere thanks to the many pregnancy center directors and staff, doctors, nurses, and clients who made arrangements to devote an entire afternoon to testify against this horrible bill. Major win.”