Crisis Pregnancy Center Sues Maryland County Over Disclosure Law

May 25, 2010 — Centro Tepeyac Women's Center -- a Silver Spring, Md., crisis pregnancy center -- last week filed a lawsuit challenging a Montgomery County, Md., law that requires CPCs to post signs in English and Spanish stating that they do not have licensed medical professionals on staff, the Washington Times reports. The signs also must say the county health department recommends that women seek a licensed health care provider.

CPCs that fail to post the signs can incur $500 fines. The county council approved the law Feb. 2.

The suit -- filed in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md. -- is similar to a challenge by the Archdiocese of Baltimore to a city law requiring CPCs to post signs stating that they do not offer abortions. Both suits note that abortion providers are not required to post similar signs explaining their services. The Montgomery County lawsuit also alleges that the regulation is so vaguely worded that it could apply to maternity stores or church employees who discuss "pregnancy-related services" with women.

Mike Faden, an attorney for Montgomery County, said he had not yet reviewed Centro Tepeyac's case but is "confident the law the council passed is constitutional."

The suit also cites testimony from volunteers for NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland urging the city council to pass the measure. According to the group's undercover investigation of 11 CPCs in Baltimore and four Maryland counties, "Every CPC visited provided misleading, or in some cases completely false, information."

NARAL is urging lawmakers in other states to consider similar measures. Ted Miller, a NARAL spokesperson, said, "Our affiliates in Maryland, Texas, Virginia and other places are working to ensure that women in their communities aren't misinformed or manipulated." He added, "If a CPC is not engaging in these harmful tactics, then it has nothing to worry about" (Duin, Washington Times, 5/24).