Californian lawmakers have passed a Planned Parenthood-backed bill criminalising undercover filming at abortion clinics. The bill – titled "AB 1671" – was passed in the state assembly last week with a 52-26 majority vote. The senate went on to approve the bill with a party line vote of 26-13. The new bill prohibits the recording and distribution of confidential communication with healthcare providers in the state. Violation of the new law can lead to a one-year prison sentence and a $2,500 fine. Repeat offenders can face a $10,000 fine. The bill was proposed by assembly member Jimmy Gomez following the release of investigative footage by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) uncovering Planned Parenthood’s sale of foetal tissue to biotechnology companies. The footage had been filmed in Texas in 2015 by CMP founder David Daleiden and member Sandra Merritt. The pair were indicted in January this year but later had the case filed against them dismissed in court. In a press statement, Kathy Kneer – CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California – praised the bill, saying: “If we’re going to protect the right to abortion, we must protect the privacy and safety of medical providers.” Pro-life groups criticise the new law. David Daleiden told LifeSiteNews: "Planned Parenthood still can't own up to the fact that their senior leadership was caught on camera talking about which places on a late-term baby to crush or not crush in order to harvest the most valuable body parts for sale.” Pro-life advocates have urged California Governor Jerry Brown to veto the legislation, which he must decide on by the end of September.
4:28 PM
California close to criminalising undercover filming at abortion clinics
Pro-lifers have urged Governor Jerry Brown to veto the bill, which has been approved by the assembly and the senate
Megan Griffiths

Already a subscriber? Sign in
5freearticles every month
Continue reading with a free account. No card needed.
- Five free articles every thirty days, on any device you sign in on
- The Catholic Herald newsletter, every morning
- Subscribe whenever you like for everything: every article and the magazine

subscribe to the catholic herald today
Our best content is exclusively available to our subscribers. Subscribe today and gain instant access to expert analysis, in-depth articles, and thought-provoking insights—anytime, anywhere. Don’t miss out on the conversations that matter most.
Subscribe












