
"The facilities often known as "crisis pregnancy centers" have been on the rise in the U.S., especially since the Supreme Court's conservative majority overturned abortion as a nationwide right in 2022. Most Republican-controlled states have since started enforcing bans or restrictions on abortion, and some have steered tax dollars to the centers. They generally provide prenatal care and encourage women to carry pregnancies to term."
"In New Jersey, Democratic attorney general Matthew Platkin sent a subpoena to First Choice Women's Resource Centers for donor information. First Choice pushed back, arguing the investigation was baseless and the demand for donor lists threatened their First Amendment rights. They tried to challenge the subpoena in federal court, but a judge found the case wasn't yet far enough along. An appeals court agreed. First Choice then turned to the Supreme Court."
"Executive director Aimee Huber said she hopes the high court will rule in their favor and send a message that protects facilities like hers. "I would hope that other attorneys general who have prosecuted or harmed or harassed other pregnancy centers, or are considering that, would back off as a result of our legal battle," she said. New Jersey counters that First Choice is seeking special treatment. The group hasn't even had to hand over any records since the judge overseeing the case hasn't ordered it."
First Choice Women's Resource Centers is asking the Supreme Court to block a New Jersey subpoena seeking donor information, arguing the probe is baseless and violates First Amendment protections. Crisis pregnancy centers have increased since the 2022 Supreme Court decision that ended nationwide abortion rights, and Republican-led states have expanded restrictions and funding to such centers. Democratic-led states have investigated whether centers mislead people about offering abortions. Lower courts declined to halt the subpoena as premature, prompting the appeal to the high court. New Jersey says the subpoena does not compel compliance and the group has not turned over records.
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