Two bills advancing in the Louisiana legislature are drawing criticism from pro-life advocates, who warn the measures could curtail ultrasound services at pregnancy centers and constrain the religious mission many regard as integral to their identity.
According to The Catholic Herald, the bills, HB 611 and HB 931, would introduce new regulations and funding restrictions for pregnancy centers. Critics, including Erica Inzina, policy director of the Louisiana Right to Life, say they could limit both the services centers provide and their ability to reflect the faith central to their mission.
“The proposals should not be read as isolated local initiatives,” Inzina said, according to the outlet, “but as part of a more deliberate campaign to erode support for pro-life centers across the country.”
HB 611 would require pregnancy centers offering certain services to be licensed as medical facilities by the state. Those services include pregnancy testing, ultrasound imaging, and medical screening. Critics say the requirement could halt ultrasound services unless a doctor or nurse is on site, even when scans are performed by licensed technicians. The Washington Stand reported that many centers already operate under medical oversight, with licensed technicians conducting ultrasounds that are reviewed by a supervising physician.
HB 931 aims to restrict state funding under the Louisiana Pregnancy and BabyCare Initiative for organizations that tie services or material support to participation in religious activities, such as faith-based videos or classes. The measure would also require the state to investigate complaints from the public alleging such practices and could result in the loss or suspension of funding for centers found in violation, the outlet added.
As Zeale News previously reported, pregnancy centers provide medical care, education, and material support to women and families. A recent report found that pregnancy centers nationwide provided more than $452 million in such services in 2024, serving more than one million new clients, highlighting the scale of services at stake as the measures are considered.
Both bills remain pending after an April 14 hearing before the House Health and Welfare Committee.