A law designed to expose fake crisis pregnancy clinics has been put on hold in New York City. US District Judge William H. Pauley III on Wednesday imposed a preliminary injunction on the law, which would require facilities to tell patients whether they provide emergency contraception or abortion services and whether they have health professionals on site. In March, the New York City Council voted 39 to 9, with one abstention, to pass the bill, which was promptly signed into law by Mayor Michael Bloomberg (D).
The law’s backers vowed to appeal. “The judge got it wrong,” said City Council member Jessica S. Lappin, who sponsored the legislation. “This is an important measure to protect women from dangerous and deceptive practices, and we’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep fighting.”
Currently, there are an estimated 3,500 CPCs nationwide, most of which are affiliated with one or more national umbrella organizations. CPCs often pose as comprehensive health centers and offer “free” pregnancy tests. Some CPCs coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. These clinics are typically run by anti-abortion zealots who are not licensed medical professionals.
