Earlier this month, Hawaii’s house of representatives voted 41-10 in favor of a bill that would require the state’s pro-life pregnancy centers to advertise abortion services, LifeSite News reported.
The proposed measure known as SB 510 would force all community-funded pregnancy center — including the state’s five pro-life pregnancy organizations — to share with their clients the following message:
Hawaii has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services, including, but not limited to, all FDA-approved methods of contraception and pregnancy-related services for eligible women.
To apply online for medical insurance coverage, that will cover the full range of family planning and prenatal care services, go to mybenefits.hawaii.gov.
Only ultrasounds performed by qualified healthcare professionals and read by licensed clinicians should be considered medically accurate.
Establishments that failed to comply with this order would face a penalty of $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for a second offense.
Opponents of the law claim that it violates the First Amendment and fails to consider the moral objections of pro-life healthcare providers who offer services such as free ultrasounds.
Speaking out against SB 510, Rep. Bob McDermott explained what he believes to be the bill’s main objective:
Ultimately, what was the whole point of this whole thing? Where did it come from? Why is it even before us? It’s before us because there’s Christian centers that offer alternatives to abortion. They don’t believe in abortion. So, a woman comes in there and they’re encouraging [her], they offer alternatives but they don’t do abortions. And that’s what this is about.
“These pregnancy centers offer the ultrasound, [and] the young lady will not have the abortion — she won’t — and Planned Parenthood loses money,” McDermott added.
Planned Parenthood Northwest and Hawaii is in fact one of the bill’s greatest supporters. But pro-life advocates have asserted that such a law would force health clinics to promote pro-abortion services or face government penalties.
The bill will now travel back to the state senate for a review of amendments. After this, it will head to Gov. David Ige for approval.
(H/T: LifeSite News)
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