San Francisco Supervisors Advance Ban on Misleading Ads by Crisis Pregnancy Centers

October 19, 2011 — On Tuesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to give initial approval to an ordinance that would prohibit crisis pregnancy centers from engaging in false or misleading advertising, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The measure targets limited-services pregnancy centers that do not offer contraception or abortion services or provide referrals to clinics that do (Gordon, San Francisco Chronicle, 10/19).

Supporters of the ordinance said it is needed to protect women from the centers' deceptive practices. Final passage is expected next week (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/18).

If approved, the ordinance would affect two CPCs in San Francisco. The centers' operators allege that the ordinance infringes on their right to free speech, and they have threatened to sue if the proposal becomes law.

Courts have blocked enforcement of similar laws in other cities. The San Francisco city attorney has advised supervisors that they would need to demonstrate a record of false and misleading advertising to present a strong legal defense. Supporters of the ordinance have produced online reviews, testimony from a physician and a statement from a woman who contacted a CPC.

Shari Plunkett, CEO of the CPC First Resort, said the center provides straightforward verbal and written information to clients about its opposition to abortion (San Francisco Chronicle, 10/19). San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has asked First Resort to clarify on its website that it does not offer abortion services (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/18).