Vermont Amends Controversial Pregnancy Center Law
Montpelier, VT – The Vermont legislature has amended a contentious law targeting pro-life pregnancy centers, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to reproductive services. In 2022, Vermont became the first state to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right, adopting the Reproductive Liberty Amendment. However, subsequent legislation in 2023, known as SB 37, imposed strict requirements on pro-life centers, threatening fines of up to $10,000 for purportedly misleading advertising.
The law faced backlash from pro-life organizations, which argued that it unconstitutionally restricted their speech and ability to assist women facing unexpected pregnancies. Three groups, alongside the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), initiated a lawsuit against the state, prompting the recent amendment.
ADF’s legal counsel, Julia Payne Koon, expressed satisfaction with the changes, which removed direct discrimination against pregnancy centers. "Women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant should be aware of the life-affirming options available to them," she stated.
Jean Marie Davis, executive director of Branches Pregnancy Resource Center, shared her personal story of overcoming adversity with the help of such centers, emphasizing their role in providing crucial support and resources. "Pregnancy centers exist to offer help for those in need," she affirmed.
The amended law relieves pregnancy centers from the threat of punitive measures, allowing them to operate without government interference. While pro-abortion states across the country attempt to restrict the activities of pro-life organizations, the recent amendment in Vermont signifies a pivotal victory for advocacy groups defending pregnancy resource centers. NIFLA officials have noted their readiness to challenge any future legal restrictions on these centers.
As the debate surrounding reproductive rights continues nationwide, Vermont’s revision may set a precedent for other states grappling with similar issues.
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