AN ACT directing the department of health and human services to study and report on crisis pregnancy centers doing business in the state; and appropriating funds for that purpose.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  By May 1, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services shall study and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on the unmet health and resource needs facing pregnant women in North Carolina and the impact of crisis pregnancy centers on the ability of clients to obtain accurate, non‑coercive health care information and timely access to a comprehensive range of reproductive and sexual health care services that aligns with their health care needs and supports their personal decision making. In conducting this study, the Department shall examine at least all of the following:

(1)        The number of crisis pregnancy centers operating in the State that receive State funds, as defined in G.S. 143C‑1‑1(d)(25), in the form of a grant or direct appropriation. The Department shall compile a list of the names and locations of each crisis pregnancy center examined as a part of this study.

(2)        The total amount of State funds, federal funds, State and federal tax subsidies, and other subsidies, if any, each crisis pregnancy center identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection received directly or indirectly, over the last five years, broken down by location if the center conducts business or provides services at more than one location.

(3)        An explanation of whether each crisis pregnancy center is part of a larger umbrella organization that operates within the State and, if so, the total amount of State funds, federal funds, tax subsidies, or other subsidies, if any, the umbrella organization received directly or indirectly over the last five years, broken down by location if the umbrella organization conducts business or provides services at more than one location.

(4)        An explanation of all services provided by each crisis pregnancy center and which services were most frequently sought, broken down by location if the center conducts business or provides services at more than one location.

(5)        The number of clients who annually access services at each crisis pregnancy center.

(6)        Whether crisis pregnancy centers hold themselves out to the public, either in person, through community participation or events, or through their own advertising or websites, as medical facilities or entities that provide comprehensive, all‑options pregnancy counseling.

(7)        Whether clients seeking or accessing services at crisis pregnancy centers are seeking comprehensive, all‑options pregnancy counseling or services at medical facilities and whether clients have experienced a delay in receiving health care, including the performance of an abortion or the initiation of prenatal care, due to a visit to a crisis pregnancy center.

(8)        Whether crisis pregnancy centers enroll clients in any public benefits programs or connect clients to other services, and, if so, a list of these programs and services.

(9)        The nature of information provided to clients or potential clients at crisis pregnancy centers and the nature of information included in crisis pregnancy centers operational manuals, handbooks, or guidelines in connection to the provision of services to clients.

(10)      The number of State‑certified medical professionals on staff or volunteering at each identified crisis pregnancy center, and the number who are providing medical services or counseling on site during regular business hours, and what information each crisis pregnancy center provides to clients about the presence of medical professionals on the premises, on staff, or serving in a volunteer capacity.

(11)      Whether crisis pregnancy centers collect medical information and an explanation of what other information is collected upon intake, how crisis pregnancy centers handle medical and other client records, and whether the medical records are in compliance with federal and State laws governing medical privacy.

(12)      The number of crisis pregnancy centers that have an ultrasound machine on the premises, and, if one is present, whether the crisis pregnancy center has a certified ultrasound technician on staff, either as a paid employee or volunteer.

SECTION 1.(b)  As used in this section, the term crisis pregnancy center means a nonprofit organization, other than a hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, or clinic that performs abortions, that holds itself out as a healthcare facility that provides care for pregnant women and other clients, including pregnancy counseling services, pregnancy testing, ultrasound services, and other nonmedical pregnancy services.

SECTION 2.  Effective July 1, 2024, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to be used to complete the study and report required by Section 1 of this act. The Department of Health and Human Services may use funds appropriated by this section to hire a consultant to assist with completing the study and report.

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.