Supreme Court to Review Case from New Jersey Pregnancy Center
The Supreme Court has announced it will hear a case involving a faith-based pregnancy center in New Jersey that is contesting a state investigation. The First Choice Women’s Resource Centers claims the investigation misleads people into believing it offers abortion referrals.
The center is appealing a subpoena issued by New Jersey’s Democratic Attorney General, Matthew Platkin, which seeks details about the center’s donors, advertising, and medical staff. This subpoena hasn’t been enforced yet.
This case is significant as it follows the Supreme Court’s landmark decision nearly three years ago that overturned the federal right to abortion. Since then, most Republican-led states have enacted stricter laws on abortion, while many Democratic states aim to protect access to it.
First Choice Women’s Resource Centers describes itself as a "faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center," which aims to guide women facing unplanned pregnancies away from abortion. The group has challenged the subpoena in federal court, but judges have ruled that the matter isn’t ready for a full hearing yet.
In its appeal to the Supreme Court, First Choice argues that the demand for donor information violates its First Amendment rights. Meanwhile, in state court, Attorney General Platkin is working to enforce the subpoena, but a judge has so far resisted, urging both sides to negotiate instead.
Platkin has argued that the organization has not been transparent about its operations and practices in reproductive health care. He asserts that no organization deserves special treatment when faced with lawful state inquiries.
First Choice, represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, contends that the attorney general is targeting the center solely due to its pro-life stance. Attorney Erin Hawley emphasized that the center provides valuable community services, including parenting classes, free ultrasounds, and baby supplies.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments regarding this important case in the fall.
