Objective coverage of church-state and religious liberty developments, with extensive links to primary sources.
Friday, August 17, 2012
4th Circuit Grants En Banc Review In Pregnancy Center Compelled Speech Case
On Wednesday, the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals granted en banc review in Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, Inc. v. Mayor and City Council of Baltimore. (Full text of court order.) In the case, a 3-judge panel (in a 2-1 decision) in June struck down on free speech grounds a Baltimore ordinance that requires "limited-service pregnancy centers" to post signs announcing that that they do not provide or make referrals for abortion or birth control services. (See prior posting.) The Center for Reproductive Rights issued a press release applauding the decision to rehear the case.