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Bill also shields fetal death reports from civil, criminal proceedings
By Guy Page
A bill that extends advertising restrictions on pro-life centers and gives more legal immunity to abortion providers has been passed by the Legislature. It will now go to Gov. Phil Scott for his signature.
The Senate Friday agreed with House amendments to S.28, this year’s new so-called ‘muzzle bill.’ The bill empowers the Attorney General to punish pro-life pregnancy centers and other health care providers for advertising he/she believes the ad has a ‘tendency to mislead.’
S.28, titled “access to certain legally protected health care services,” would allow the AG’s office to find a health care provider guilty of unprofessional conduct with fines of up to $10,000 for “advertising, including advertising about health care services, that is intended or has a tendency to deceive or mislead.”
Abortion rights activists have long maintained that Vermont pro-life pregnancy resource center advertising misrepresents their unwillingness to perform abortions, even though the websites and marketing information clearly state they do not perform abortions. For example, the home page of the Lamoille Valley Pregnancy Resource Center states: “We do not provide or refer for abortions or emergency contraception or estimate cost and we do not profit from any of your sexual health or pregnancy decisions.”
Despite legislative restrictions on messaging, there are now 10 pro-life pregnancy resource centers in Vermont, compared with a dwindling number (5) of outpatient surgical abortion clinics.
S.28 is the second pregnancy resource center muzzle bill in three years. It is deemed necessary by pro-legal abortion advocates because the the first law, S.37 passed in 2023, faces an active free-speech lawsuit by the Alliance Defending Freedom. Last June, a federal judge allowed the suit to proceed.
S.28 more broadly defines who may face Attorney General sanctions for misleading advertising. The “advertising, including advertising about health care services” clause has other health care providers – such as doctors opposed to vaccination mandates – concerned they, too, could run afoul of the AG. At present, the state’s Medical Practice Board is the go-to overseer of complaints against the medical providers.
Compared to years past, abortions are more often performed with drugs rather than surgery. This may explain why S.28 also shields some medical abortion providers from state oversight. S.28 exempts Advanced Practitioner Registered Nurses (APRNs) from a medical board discipline from instate or out-of-state medical board discipline in connection with providing abortion drugs.
The bill also shields all fetal death reports from civil, criminal or administrative legal proceedings, and require they be destroyed after two years.
S.28 was subject to one role call vote. On April 17, the House voted 97-43 in favor. These House members voted no:
Bailey of Hyde Park
Bosch of Clarendon
Boutin of Barre City
Branagan of Georgia
Burtt of Cabot
Canfield of Fair Haven
Casey of Hubbardton
Demar of Enosburgh
Dickinson of St. Albans Town
Dolgin of St. Johnsbury
Donahue of Northfield
Feltus of Lyndon
Goslant of Northfield
Gregoire of Fairfield
Harrison of Chittenden
Harvey of Castleton
Higley of Lowell
Howland of Rutland Town
Keyser of Rutland City
Labor of Morgan
Laroche of Franklin
Maguire of Rutland City
Marcotte of Coventry
McCoy of Poultney
Micklus of Milton
Morgan of Milton
Morgan of Milton
Morrissey of Bennington
Nielsen of Brandon
North of Ferrisburgh
Oliver of Sheldon
Page of Newport City
Parsons of Newbury
Pinsonault of Dorset
Powers of Waterford
Pritchard of Pawlet
Southworth of Walden
Steady of Milton
Tagliavia of Corinth
Toof of St. Albans Town
Winter of Ludlow
Charlton of Chester
Coffin of Cavendish
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Categories: Health Care
’ The bill empowers the Attorney General to punish pro-life pregnancy centers and other health care providers for advertising he/she believes the ad has a ‘tendency to mislead.’ –
This says it all right there. Of COURSE the AG will say anything pro life is a violation.
Gov. Scott, veto this bill!
So much for free speech? Sound like a communist country?
You can’t stifle free speech ! What they are proposing is bought and paid for by the Soros mindset and AG . It’s against God and our Constitution!
I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone who voted against S.28. Your choice carries immense weight, more than you may fully comprehend. Abortion is a serious matter, and far too often, we see people silent in the face of the injustice done to the unborn. To those Democrats, progressives, and even some Republicans who support abortion rights, I urge you to reflect on this: you may not face immediate consequences for your decisions, but Scripture reminds us in Romans 14:12 that “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” The lives lost through abortion will not go unnoticed, and one day, you will stand before the Creator to answer for your actions.
It is perplexing that many who support abortion are the same individuals who cherish their own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In doing so, they advocate for a practice that denies countless families the opportunity to embrace the joy of new life. As it is written in Psalm 127:3, “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” I will always stand firmly for the sanctity of life, unwavering in my 100% pro-life stance. Let us remember that every life is precious and deserving of protection.
Amen!!
Thank you for your honest and profound message. I, too, am very grateful for the House members who voted “no” to this bill.
They are focusing on the wrong group.
It’s Planned Parenthood and health centers that provide deceptive advertising and counseling “that is intended or has a tendency to deceive or mislead”.
Exactly, Michelle! It’s the epitome of gaslighting.
I guess we shouldn’t be surprised with this outcome, but it doesn’t mitigate the concerns. I will reiterate my primary concern. That being how the “abortion pill” (I hate that term!) may be administered and by whom. I have not read the current Bill, but I am assuming that the wording about administration of the “pill” has not changed. My major concern is that the “pill” may be ordered on line, and WITHOUT any prior evaluation for determination of the stage of the pregnancy. The primary concern is that if a woman takes said pill after 10 to 12 weeks it could (potentially) result in a serious outcome. Ref. to prior professional testimony a few weeks ago when it was about to be voted from the Senate HC Comm to the House HC Comm. I reached out to a member of the House Comm, but I note that member did not vote no in the House. I am attempting to be discreet here, although not happy.
Anyway, those of us on the “same page” here have one last attempt. That being letters to the Governor, and I intend to stress to him to please explore, and address, that particular issue. At this point I think it might be our only hope. If it turns out that I am wrong with any of my stated concerns, I stand corrected.
Gail, your concerns are valid. Linda Prine, Co-Founder of M + A Hotline, Founder of Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, who fills 50 – 60 abortion pill subscriptions a day but has grandchildren in Vermont, stated to the House Committee on Health Care on March 27 at 9:00 am that the WHO standard for administering the abortion pills is up to 13 weeks, then states there are semi-underground organizations that send them later in pregnancy because “people are just that desperate.” Then, on April Fool’s day at 1:20 PM, House Health Care committee members pushed back against David Herlihy, Executive Director of the Vermont Board of Medical Practice, for stating that the Board did not approve of the exception to the statutory standard for prescribing via telemedicine that allows the abortion pills to be prescribed through only a questionnaire. Herlihy stated there should be two-way communication, “even if only by text exchange . . .” According to Herlihy’s testimony, bots are prescribing abortion pills.
In addition to the dangers associated with the pill being mailed/dispensed without knowledge of the gestational age of the baby, ectopic pregnancies and other health concerns of the mom are also of grave concern. It’s a disgusting and callous negligence and breach of the oath doctors must take to do no harm. In any other medical setting, what those who dispense/send the abortion pills are doing would be regarded as outrageously irresponsible.
The ramming of the RU-486 chemical abortion pill (I don’t know what else to call it, Gail.) through the FDA, circumventing the normal vetting protocols any other drug would have to undergo, and now the utter disregard for the health and lives of moms and their babies, reveal the evil hypocrisy of those who call this healthcare and taking care of women.
You cannot censor “pro life” advertising….. CAN YOU READ the 1st Amendment?
-D Morrisseau
All Libs and progressives, destroying Vermont! Name one conservative that voted for this? Is there even any conservative politicians in this state??? Do the right thing Gov. Scott.
Oh please…
Burditt (R) of West Rutland voted Yea.
Galfetti (R) of Barre voted Yea.
Quimby (R) of Lyndon voted Yea.
I got tired or reading through the roll call but it’s more bi-partisan that you’ve claimed.
Gov. Scot needs to veto this bill. This bill is complete censorship!
I’m still appalled that Gina Galfetti allowed the wool to be pulled over her eyes on this one.
Breaking story today:
https://www.lifenews.com/2025/04/28/massive-study-shows-major-complications-from-abortion-pill-22-times-higher-than-fda-says/?cmid=47720b17-aaec-447c-aa8d-0a679ed1932f
S.28 is bound for Federal Court on First Amendment grounds. There might even be a basis for being unconstitutionally vague. (Full disclosure: I am not an attorney, nor do I even play an attorney on TV..)
The emboldened thought police have now added penalities and fines for any disobedience and failure to hive-mind with the installed belligerent occupation.
Isn’t it just their way afterall? To penalize you into oblivion for whatever reason they make up regardless of circumstances – which are mainly driven and a result of their lawfare warfare against the People. Yet, those who peddle poison, commit felonous fraud and other felonies, harbor criminal invaders, steal and waste taxpayer money on purpose with a purpose – all get a free pass, free legal representation, and protection – which is protectionism in another form that fills their wallets and covers their crimes.
By all their Acts and actions, it appears the real insurrection is taking place under the Golden Thunder Domes across the nation – from DC to Main Street.
As I walk down the street, being alive, am I going to be considered a billboard for pro life.