Victory for Life: Vermont Reverses Discriminatory Law Targeting Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – In a significant victory for life and free speech, the state of Vermont has amended a law that previously targeted and restricted the work of pro-life pregnancy centers. This change comes in response to a lawsuit brought by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorneys on behalf of several Vermont pregnancy centers that were being unconstitutionally silenced for offering life-affirming alternatives to abortion.

Filed in July 2023, the suit challenged SB 37–a law signed by Governor Phil Scott two years earlier that censored pro-life centers’ ability to advertise and counsel women. The law labeled these centers as “limited services” providers simply because they did not perform or refer for abortions, and threatened them with fines of up to $10,000 for offering what the state considered “misleading” information. Notably, abortion clinics were not held to the same standard–even if they offered identical information.

“Women who become unexpectedly pregnant should know they have life-affirming options available to them,” said ADF Legal Counsel Julia Payne Koon. “We’re pleased that Vermont recognized it needed to amend its discriminatory law that unlawfully targeted faith-based pregnancy centers.”

The plaintiffs in the case–The National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), Aspire Now, and Branches Pregnancy Resource Center–argued that the law not only violated their First Amendment rights, but also infringed on their ability to compassionately support women in crisis. These centers offer free services such as ultrasounds, counseling, baby supplies, and emotional support to women who choose life for their unborn children.

Anne O’Connor, NIFLA Vice President of Legal Affairs, celebrated the reversal, stating, “Pregnancy centers are no longer under direct threat from the law and pro-abortion lobby in Vermont. For this, NIFLA celebrates; however, if in the future the state again decides to unconstitutionally pursue the work of pro-life pregnancy centers, NIFLA stands ready to take Vermont back to court.”

With the amended law, Vermont has eliminated the targeted language that once silenced the pro-life message. This change marks an important step forward in the fight to ensure that every woman is empowered with the truth and every unborn child is given a chance at life.

As the cultural and legal battle over life continues, this victory sends a strong message: pregnancy centers that offer hope, help, and healing must be protected–not punished.

Latest Worthy News