Quote:
Pregnancy centers must now post signs
Makes Austin second city in the nation to pass
Updated: Thursday, 08 Apr 2010, 6:11 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 08 Apr 2010, 10:53 AM CDT
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pro-life pregnancy centers will have to display signs on their front doors in Austin telling women they do not offer abortions, birth control services or referrals for either option.
Baltimore is the only city in the nation currently with a similar ordinance, but Austin became number two Thursday after the City Council passed the ordinance by a vote of 7-0.
Ordinance author and City Councilman Bill Spelman said it affects at least four pregnancy centers in the city.
Those with pro-life and pro-choice groups fought back and forth in front of the Austin City Council Thursday with attorneys on both sides saying the ordinance was and was not constitutional.
Pro-choice groups said it helps women know accurate medical information sooner.
"This ordinance helps do that," said Blake Rocap with NARAL Pro-Choice Texas . "The ordinance is so minimal it's hard to imagine a real downside to this information and signage."
Spelman asked for the sign posted on the front door to make sure women know up front what type of facility they are entering
He said the idea evolved after the political pro-choice group NARAL Pro-Choice Texas sent a board member and two interns into Austin pregnancy centers undercover last summer.
"The information they get is often misleading, often coercive, not medically accurate," said Rocap who serves as legal counsel for the pro-choice group. "Obviously doesn't include information about abortion services or a full array of options when dealing with your pregnancy."
However, those against brought their arguments as well.
"If Planned Parenthood and these other facilities display a sign they are an abortion provider," said Amy McCarey, who spoke against the ordinance, "Why should these pregnancy resource centers display a sign they are not?
Marie Seale with the Catholic Diocese, speaking on behalf of the Gabriel Project Life Center, a pregnancy resource center said, "We are honest about the services we provide and do not provide."
Seale said the ordinance "could face litigation," after consulting with diocese attorneys.
Spelman said the ordinance does not speak to civil rights and is rather intended to help consumers.
"I think this is a city which values full disclosure of information," said Spelman. "This is a city where consumers want good consumer information."
Makes Austin second city in the nation to pass
Updated: Thursday, 08 Apr 2010, 6:11 PM CDT
Published : Thursday, 08 Apr 2010, 10:53 AM CDT
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Pro-life pregnancy centers will have to display signs on their front doors in Austin telling women they do not offer abortions, birth control services or referrals for either option.
Baltimore is the only city in the nation currently with a similar ordinance, but Austin became number two Thursday after the City Council passed the ordinance by a vote of 7-0.
Ordinance author and City Councilman Bill Spelman said it affects at least four pregnancy centers in the city.
Those with pro-life and pro-choice groups fought back and forth in front of the Austin City Council Thursday with attorneys on both sides saying the ordinance was and was not constitutional.
Pro-choice groups said it helps women know accurate medical information sooner.
"This ordinance helps do that," said Blake Rocap with NARAL Pro-Choice Texas . "The ordinance is so minimal it's hard to imagine a real downside to this information and signage."
Spelman asked for the sign posted on the front door to make sure women know up front what type of facility they are entering
He said the idea evolved after the political pro-choice group NARAL Pro-Choice Texas sent a board member and two interns into Austin pregnancy centers undercover last summer.
"The information they get is often misleading, often coercive, not medically accurate," said Rocap who serves as legal counsel for the pro-choice group. "Obviously doesn't include information about abortion services or a full array of options when dealing with your pregnancy."
However, those against brought their arguments as well.
"If Planned Parenthood and these other facilities display a sign they are an abortion provider," said Amy McCarey, who spoke against the ordinance, "Why should these pregnancy resource centers display a sign they are not?
Marie Seale with the Catholic Diocese, speaking on behalf of the Gabriel Project Life Center, a pregnancy resource center said, "We are honest about the services we provide and do not provide."
Seale said the ordinance "could face litigation," after consulting with diocese attorneys.
Spelman said the ordinance does not speak to civil rights and is rather intended to help consumers.
"I think this is a city which values full disclosure of information," said Spelman. "This is a city where consumers want good consumer information."
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Looooove it.
