# Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024

This bill protects pregnancy centers—also called crisis pregnancy centers—from being forced to provide or refer patients for abortion services. These are typically non-profit organizations that offer free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, and counseling to pregnant women. The bill prevents states and local governments from passing laws that would require these centers to give information about abortion or refer women to abortion providers, even if that's what a patient requests.

The practical effect is that pregnancy centers can operate without being compelled to discuss abortion as an option or direct women to places that provide abortions. Currently, some states and cities have passed laws requiring medical facilities to inform patients about all available options, including abortion. This bill would block those requirements specifically for pregnancy centers, allowing them to focus solely on promoting pregnancy continuation and adoption alternatives if they choose.

This matters because it affects what information pregnant women receive when they visit these centers. If you go to a pregnancy center for counseling or an ultrasound, the center wouldn't be legally required to tell you about abortion services or help you find them, even if you ask. Supporters argue this protects the centers' right to operate according to their values, while critics worry it limits women's access to complete medical information about their options during pregnancy. The bill essentially carves out a special legal protection for these particular organizations compared to other medical facilities.

Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024

Hyde-Smith, Cindy

Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024This bill explicitly authorizes states to use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to carry out programs that encourage patients to carry their pregnancies to term rather than seek abortions. Under current law, states have broad authority to use TANF funds as they see fit to accomplish any of the program’s four purposes, including to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies.&nbsp;The bill also prohibits the federal government from subjecting entities receiving TANF funds to disparate treatment because they encourage patients to carry their pregnancies to term, or because they do not provide, assist, or counsel in favor of abortion. Similarly, the federal government may not subject states contracting with such entities to disparate treatment. Under the bill, disparate treatment includes presumed ineligibility for TANF funds or presumed failure to satisfy the purposes of the program. The Department of Justice, a state, or an entity adversely affected by a violation of these provisions may bring suit in civil court for appropriate relief, including money damages. Federal officials may not invoke sovereign immunity as a defense to such a suit. &nbsp;