Truth in Advertising: Baltimore Urges Crisis Pregnancy Centers to Post Clarifying Signs

Recently the Baltimore city council passed an ordinance targeting Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs), made famous by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.)'s 2006 investigative report that revealed these anti-choice centers were distributing false and misleading information on sexual and reproductive health. The ordinance requires all CPCs to post signs saying that they do not provide birth control or abortions or give referrals of where to obtain these services. Now, it seems the ordinance is getting challenged by the Archbishop of Baltimore and the Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, Inc., one of the centers targeted by this ordinance. An email from the CRR says:

Today, the City asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that the Archbishop's claims against the ordinance are not supported by the facts or the law. The ordinance protects women from deceptive advertising and ensures that women seeking birth control or abortion services have prompt access to those services.

Based on an earlier report of the challenge from the Baltimore Sun, a CPC that doesn't comply with the ordinance within 10 days could be fined up to $150 a day.