Hawaii “Bully Bill” Media Statement

National Institute of Family and Life Advocates President Thomas Glessner has condemned the Hawaii State Senate’s passage of Hawaii SB501 “Bully Bill” legislature which forces pro-life outlets — even those located in churches — to refer for abortion.

“The Hawaii State Senate has tragically joined with California and Illinois to force pro-life pregnancy resource centers to become abortion referral agencies. The Hawaii effort to suppress free speech is especially concerning because one of the state’s pro-life centers is housed in a church — which means the church itself would be forced to refer for abortions. This is an egregious violation of religious freedom.

Also shocking was that testimony from a pregnancy resource center director and several pro-life center employees was deleted from the state’s official record. This is extremely concerning, and constitutes government-suppressed speech.

NIFLA, which is appealing a similar case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, is already working with the Alliance Defending Freedom, as it has elsewhere, to oppose this bill in court should it become law.”

About the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates

NIFLA is a national nonprofit organization providing legal counsel, education and training for pro-life pregnancy centers and medical clinics. Representing a network of more than 1,400 pregnancy centers across the United States, NIFLA has recently challenged laws in California and Illinois that target their members.

To book interviews with Thomas Glessner, J.D. or Anne O’Connor, J.D. about the Hawaii legislature referenced above or anti-life measures like it which are currently being appealed, please contact NIFLA’s media team at [email protected].

If you would like more information about what NIFLA is doing to make a difference in the pro-life movement, please click here.