California Desires to Advantageous Being pregnant Facilities $20 Million for Saving Infants From Abortions
California Attorney General Rob Bonta is seeking more than $20 million in fines against two pro-life organizations for providing information and referrals about Abortion Pill Reversal to women.
The pregnancy centers help mothers who regret taking the first pill in a chemical abortion regimen and have saved over 1,000 babies from abortion across the country.
In a trial brief filed ahead of a June 24 hearing, Bonta argued that when Heartbeat International and RealOptions offer hope to women seeking to save their babies, it “only underscores the seriousness of their misconduct.”
The state is asking a judge to impose $19.86 million in penalties against Heartbeat International and $640,000 against RealOptions. Bonta is also seeking a permanent injunction that would restrict the groups’ ability to speak about Abortion Pill Reversal.
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The lawsuit does not claim that Abortion Pill Reversal is illegal. Instead, it targets the organizations’ speech, treating each woman who contacted them for help as a separate violation subject to fines of up to $5,000.
According to the Thomas More Society, which is representing the groups, Bonta’s office has not produced any complaints from women who received Abortion Pill Reversal despite years of investigation.
The only women identified in the case, the group states, are mothers who successfully carried their pregnancies to term after seeking help.
The case centers on whether pro-life pregnancy centers and helplines can continue offering information about Abortion Pill Reversal without facing massive financial penalties and restrictions on their speech. Heartbeat International operates a national helpline and network connecting women to providers offering the reversal protocol.
RealOptions runs pregnancy centers in California that provide free services and referrals.
Bonta’s office falsely claims that the organizations engaged in deceptive practices.
The groups and their legal representatives argue that the lawsuit represents an effort to punish pro-life ministries for helping women who change their minds after beginning a chemical abortion and to silence their speech.
The trial is scheduled to begin June 24 in California state court.
