Court backs Maryland crisis pregnancy center, bars enforcement of ordinance
March 11, 2014
A federal district court has barred enforcement of a Maryland county’s ordinance that compelled crisis pregnancy centers to display a sign in their waiting rooms.
Montgomery County’s ordinance required crisis pregnancy centers to state that “the Center does not have a licensed medical professional on staff” and that “the Montgomery County Health Officer encourages women who are or may be pregnant to consult with a licensed health care provider.”
Judge Deborah Chasnow, who was appointed to the bench by President Bill Clinton, cited free-speech rights as she ruled that “the critical flaw for the County is the lack of any evidence that the practices of [the pregnancy care centers] are causing pregnant women to be misinformed.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Court strikes down entirety of Md. county’s ‘forced speech’ law for pregnancy centers (Alliance Defending Freedom)
- Required Signs In Pregnancy Counseling Centers Held Unconstitutional (Religion Clause)
- Federal court victories for Maryland crisis pregnancy centers (CWN, 7/6/12)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
