Hawaii state lawmakers are the latest to try to force pregnancy care centers to promote abortion.
Twin bills in the state House and Senate would require the pro-life centers to post a pro-abortion statement in a “clear and conspicuous place” in their waiting areas or give it to women when they arrive.
The statement reads: “Hawaii has public programs that provide immediate free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services including all FDA-approved methods of contraception, prenatal care, and abortion for eligible women. To determine whether you qualify, contact the appropriate Med-QUEST division eligibility office.”
If pregnancy care centers don’t cooperate with the state-sponsored message, they face a $500 fine the first time and $1,000 “for each subsequent offense.”
In addition, women who walk in and are offended by a violation may personally sue the center. The Hawaii proposal is more strict than California’s law requiring pregnancy care centers to promote abortion because offending centers there face fines but not civil action.
Stacey Jimenez, director of operations at A Place for Women said the bills would violate the center’s freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
The ministry offers Bible-study format recovery classes for women who have had abortions, and Jimenez said the bills would essentially make them tell women, “Go out, go harm yourself, and come back and we’ll help you heal.”