Oct 27, 2009 11:14 pm US/Eastern
Pregnancy Center Proposal Sparks Debate
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
A debate is brewing across Baltimore over a controversial proposal up for consideration in the City Council. It involves pregnancy centers, birth control and abortion.
Kelly McPherson explains why some say the proposal is harassment.
The issue of abortion is dividing activists in a new way--in pregnancy center waiting rooms. A City Council bill would demand a sign in English and Spanish explaining if a center does not offer abortions or birth control.
Carol Clews says centers like hers are being unfairly targeted.
"In a very gentle, understanding way, we try to discourage women from having an abortion. We make it very clear up front that we don't perform them, nor do we refer for them. And we also won't tell them where to go to get one," Clews said.
She says a sign at the Center for Pregnancy Concerns already states that they don't provide abortion services.
City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says the legislation is necessary to protect pregnant women.
"It's important that women, particularly in vulnerable situations, get adequate and accurate medical information at the time they need it. We have information that many of these centers were giving misleading information or not giving full information," she said. "This is one way to have truth in advertising."
In its statement to the media, Planned Parenthood says there have been complaints about other pregnancy centers giving false or misleading information about abortion and birth control. It cites the NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland's recent investigation in Baltimore.
"It's not atypical of NARAL and Planned Parenthood to create issues that create problems for centers like mine," Clews said. "The archbishop is right: it is harassment. It does impugn our integrity. It's looking at us and saying, `You're not complying.' And the fact of the matter is, we are and we do comply."
Also in that bill is a $500 fine that a center would have to pay each day it doesn't comply with the sign requirement. The city would check up on centers through complaints.
This bill still has far to go. Committee members will vote next week and then it heads to the entire council for debate.
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