MontCo legislation would target anti-abortion centers - Examiner

By: Alan Suderman | Examiner Staff Writer | November 8, 2009

The four pregnancy centers in Montgomery County that don't provide abortion services would be required to tell potential clients that they should go elsewhere for medical advice, under new legislation proposed by Councilwoman Duchy Trachtenberg.

Trachtenberg said the private centers, which promote themselves as a place to help women with unexpected pregnancies, often provide false and misleading medical information about the dangers of abortions or contraceptives in attempts to convince women not to abort their pregnancies.

Her resolution would require the centers to present potential clients with disclaimers in English and Spanish that the information given by the center isn't intended as "medical advice or to establish a doctor patient relationship." It would also require the centers to tell potential clients that they should consult with a health care provider before making decisions about their pregnancies.

"It's pretty much just a consumer protection measure more than anything else," Trachtenberg said. "We're not saying they can't seek clients and they can't counsel them."

She noted that the four centers outnumber the three full-service family planning clinics in Montgomery, which are funded partially with county dollars.

The legislation is sponsored by five other council members and is set to be introduced Tuesday.

But proponents of the centers said the County Council's efforts are misguided and ill-informed, and their clients are well aware of the center's mission.

"The people who are using our services aren't misunderstanding what we do and what we're providing," said Jacqueline Stippich, executive director for Shady Grove Pregnancy Center. She said most of the center's new clients are referred by past clients.

A similar proposal currently being considered by the Baltimore City Council.

Rockville Pregnancy Center Executive Director Gail Tierney said those types of legislations are singling out anti-abortion pregnancy centers to score political points.

"I just kind of find it strange as a medical clinic to make us list things we don't do," Tierney said. "It's like having Home Depot having to post a sign saying: We don't sell dresses."

asuderman@washingtonexaminer.com

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