Senate Committee Considers An Unfriendly Little Bill

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, the State Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee will have a public hearing on SB 5274, an unfriendly little bill aimed as silencing agencies that provide abortion alternatives in Washington.  You can attend this hearing, or write an email, or make a call expressing your opinion.

Committee members are:

Senator		Phone
Keiser, Karen (D) Chair		(360) 786-7664
Conway, Steve (D) Vice Chair		(360) 786-7656
Becker, Randi (R) *		(360) 786-7602
Carrell, Mike (R)		(360) 786-7654
Kline, Adam (D)		(360) 786-7688
Murray, Ed (D)		(360) 786-7628
Parlette, Linda Evans (R)		(360) 786-7622
Pflug, Cheryl (R)		(360) 786-7608
Pridemore, Craig (D)		(360) 786-7696

*Ranking Minority Member 

Please include a "thank you" to Senator Randi Becker, who wrote to me that she will not support this bill.  She values the role of pregnancy centers in our communities.

Keep up to date on this issue by visiting www.protectwomenwa.com.

The following info came from Doddie Honrud of the Whatcom County Pregnancy Clinic, one of the worthy agencies being bullied by this bill:

A federal judge in Maryland struck down a law very similar to the one we are fighting in Washington State. The judge held that requiring life-affirming pregnancy centers to post notices of what they do NOT do violates their freedom of speech because it mandates the inclusion of a government message concurrent, and intertwined with, [their] delivery of fully protected speech.

The bill we are fighting in Washington State also requires Pregnancy Centers to post a disclaimer that says the centers do not provide abortions or “comprehensive birth control information” and do they provide referrals to those who do, nor do they provide medical care for pregnant women (EVEN if they actually DO provide medical care for pregnant women). This bill imposes severe litigation penalties to life-affirming pregnancy centers, stating that any aggrieved person or entity can bring a suite in the superior court for triple damages, fines and lawyer fees.

This bill singles out ONLY pregnancy centers that do not perform or refer for abortions. Find out more at www.protectwomenwa.com

We are encouraged by the decision in Maryland….but we must remain vigilant. The bill in Washington could pass if we do not speak up.

We Need Your Help!

Come to the Senate Hearing – Feb 2nd 8am Cherberg Building. Room 4 – make sure to sign in and check “con” to oppose the bill.

Contact your legislator 1-800-562-6000 -  let them know you oppose House Bill 1366 and Senate Bill 5274 – (We recommend a “thank you for standing with life & pregnancy centers” message to pro-life candidates)

Pray: In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. Prov 21:1