Amendment #4 to S2543

ending ad campaign against problem pregnancy resource centers

Mr. McKenna of Sutton moves to amend the bill by adding the following new section:

“SECTION XXXX, Chapter 111 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:

Section 51B ½.

(a) All state agencies shall cease funding ad campaigns which dissuade pregnant women from choosing pregnancy resource centers to assist with their pregnancy.

(b) For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

“Pregnancy Resource Center”, any organization that is a pregnancy resource center, pregnancy help center or organization, or pregnancy medical center, that: (i) supports expectant mothers in promoting pregnancy equity; and (ii) offers resources and services to mothers, fathers, and families, including, but not limited to ,relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or material supports.

“Ad campaign”, any advertisement, including, but not limited to, those on billboards, buses, trains, garbage cans, television commercials, and social media, which dissuade pregnant women from choosing pregnancy resource centers to assist with their pregnancy.

(c) All state agencies shall suspend negative ad campaigns against pregnancy resource centers, which dissuade pregnant women from choosing pregnancy resource centers to assist with their pregnancy in the commonwealth. Any agency, including, but not limited to the department of public health, that provides or oversees services for the wellbeing of pregnant mothers, shall equally promote all facilities serving such needs, including, but not limited to, pregnancy resource centers and licensed medical facilities.

(d) All existing state laws or regulations in conflict with this section shall be unenforceable under state law.