HARTFORD — The Democratic controlled House of Representatives has advanced legislation that attempts to clamp down on alleged deceptive advertising by crisis pregnancy centers in Connecticut.
Passing Thursday on a mostly partisan 81-63 vote, the bill prohibits the typically faith-based centers from making false or misleading statements about the services they provide, while allowing the state’s Attorney General to seek a state order to stop such deceptive advertising.
Proponents say some of these centers are misrepresenting themselves as medical facilities and are designed to discourage women from seeking abortion, claims the centers deny.
Republican Rep. Doug Dubitsky of Chapin says he believes the legislation violates the constitutional right to religious freedom, arguing the General Assembly should not be attempting to regulate religious speech.
The bill now awaits further action in the Senate.