Colorado bill aims to change the way pro-life pregnancy centers advertise services

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A controversial abortion bill that would change the way pro-life pregnancy centers are allowed to advertise their services is headed to the governor's desk.

Under SB23-190, Deceptive Trade Practice Pregnancy-related Service, it would be considered deceptive practice for a pro-life pregnancy center to spread "any advertisement that indicates directly or indirectly, that the person provides abortions, emergency contraceptives, or referrals for abortions or emergency contraceptives when the person knows or reasonably should have known that the person does not provide those specific services."

Additionally, the bill would prohibit any healthcare provider from providing or attempting medication abortion reversal in Colorado.

Those in favor of this bill believe the new legislation will protect those who find themselves in an unexpected pregnancy by going to pregnancy centers that are exclusively pro-life. The bill would prevent pro-life centers from implying they conduct abortions if they don't.

KRDO spoke with Democratic State Representative Karen McCormick, one of the prime sponsors behind SB23-190.

"What it's saying is, please be really transparent and upfront about what you do offer," said McCormick. "The Attorney General can step in and say, you know if you don't offer that, then this particular ad right here is indicating that it looks like you do."

McCormick said deceptive advertising is impacting even more people with an influx of out-of-state patients coming to Colorado for abortions.

Opponents of SB23-190, however, believe it would hurt those individuals by limiting their ability to find information about alternatives to abortion.

Diane Ferraro, CEO of Save the Storks, opposes the bill's passage into law. She argues it oversteps.

"SB23-190 is really restricting pregnancy centers from doing the amazing work they do," said Ferraro.

She claims the bill incorrectly portrays pro-life pregnancy resource centers.

"I know that part of this bill mentions deceptive advertising on the part of pregnancy centers," said Ferraro. "If you're looking to buy a you know, a hamburger, for example, at Wendy's, of course, In-n-Out is going to come up."

Ferraro believes the bill prevents patients from finding resources that will help them understand they have options outside of abortion.

"No, [pro-life pregnancy resource centers] are never ever trying to restrict [a patient] from going and doing what she feels that she needs to do, but they must let her know the reality of abortion," said Ferraro.

SB23-190 is now in the hands of Governor Jared Polis.

Tuesday, there will be a pro-life protest against the bill at the statehouse in Denver.