HOUSE BILL 1366

House Bill 1366 passed out of Health Care and Wellness Committee and is due to be voted on the floor of the House of Representatives soon. It targets and threatens the existence of pregnancy centers in Washington.

Pregnancy support centers are nonprofit faith-based organizations that do not receive any federal or state funding. All of our services are free to our clients. Last year $18.6 million free services were provided women in our state. 

Crossroads Resource Center is a licensed medical clinic that specializes in pregnancy diagnosis. Our services include pregnancy testing, consultations, limited obstetrical ultrasounds under the direction of board certified and licensed family practice physician, radiologist and four medical professionals who provide our medical services. Our staff also conducts parenting classes and assists pregnant moms with emotional support, diapers, clothing and other supplies.

In 2010, 99.8 percent of our clients stated they would refer a friend to Crossroads. They are not complaining. 

Facts about HB-1366:

1. Establishes the requirement that an organization list the services it does not provide. Setting a dangerous precedent allowing any organization with political clout to saddle its competition with burdensome requirements of listing what they do not do.

2. Requires that the listing of non-provided services take place in every first conversation whether on the phone or in person. How can the pregnancy center possibly defend themselves when an accuser says that they weren't told the required list of items?

3. Exposes faith-based pregnancy centers to lawsuits, even if they do exactly the right thing every time. All it takes is an allegation, true or false, to drag any pregnancy center into court and put it out of business.

Please call the legislative hot line 1-800-562-6000 to let your legislator know that you oppose HB-1366.

Marilyn Hallberg

Crossroads Resource Center

Moses Lake