October 18, 2023

New York PRC Survey Signals Oncoming Crackdown Against Pro-Life Charities

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)
As part of a new trend in which pro-abortion state governments crack down on pro-life pregnancy centers, New York has mandated that pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) complete probing surveys that will be used to create new restrictive rules and laws.

The New York State Department of Health sent surveys to PRCs late last month with various sensitive questions. The surveys ask about the organizations' connections, funding sources, and how often they collect and transmit information about abortion. PRCs are required to complete these surveys in accordance with a law signed by NY Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) in 2022.

According to the new law, these surveys will be used to determine how PRCs impact women's ability to "obtain accurate and non-coercive health care information." Pro-abortion politicians and bureaucrats will use the information gathered by these surveys to brainstorm rules and legislation that would penalize PRCs.

Illinois has taken similar action with SB1909, which would penalize PRCs for "deception" including "the omission of any material fact." The law does not define "material fact," leading some to believe it would require PRCs to refer women for abortions. SB1909 was signed into law by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) in July, but it was blocked by a federal judge pending the outcome of a lawsuit by a coalition of PRCs.