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Bill

HB 1416

establishing a committee to study what legal protections currently exist for the freedom of expression of pregnancy resource centers and whether further First Amendment protections are needed.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Avard and 4 co-sponsors

Prohibits government regulations on pregnancy resource centers' disclosures about abortion and contraception services, limiting consumer protection authority.

Sen. Gannon Refused to Accede to House Request for Committee of Conference, MA, VV; 05/21/2026; SJ 13
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Bill Summary · HB 1416

Legislative bill overview

HB 1416 prohibits state and local governments from regulating pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) regarding their abortion and contraception service offerings or disclosures. The bill would restrict government authority to impose requirements on how these centers advertise, describe, or inform patients about their services and limitations.

Why is this important

Pregnancy resource centers operate across the country with varying levels of transparency about their services and medical qualifications. This bill directly impacts what information government can require these centers to disclose to patients, which affects healthcare decision-making and consumer protection standards that typically apply to other medical providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Transparency vs. autonomy: Restricts government requirements for disclosure standards that patients rely on when seeking reproductive health information, raising questions about informed consent
  • Regulatory consistency: Creates an exemption for PRCs from disclosure regulations that apply to other healthcare providers, raising fairness and consumer protection concerns
  • Competing values: Reflects fundamental disagreement about abortion access rights and what constitutes appropriate government consumer protection authority
  • Practical implications: May prevent government from requiring accurate descriptions of services offered, qualifications of staff, or limitations of care provided

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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