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Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024
12/19/2024, 9:06 AM
Summary of Bill HR 7427
The bill aims to ensure that pregnancy centers, which provide support and resources to pregnant women, are able to continue their work without facing discrimination or restrictions. It prohibits any government entity from taking adverse action against a pregnancy center based on the center's pro-life beliefs or practices.
Additionally, the Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024 requires that any government funding provided to pregnancy centers must be used for the specific purpose of supporting pregnant women and their families. This ensures that the funds are not misused or diverted for other purposes. Overall, this bill seeks to uphold the rights of pregnancy centers to operate freely and provide much-needed support to pregnant women. It aims to protect these centers from government interference and ensure that they can continue their important work in helping women make informed decisions about their pregnancies.
Congressional Summary of HR 7427
Let Pregnancy Centers Serve Act of 2024
This 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.
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.
