Caring Families v. City of Hartford

Summary

The city of Hartford enacted an ordinance that forced a life-affirming, faith-based pregnancy care center to make compelled statements using signs inside and outside the facility, on its website, and in telephone conversations with clients. The ordinance is similar to portions of a California law that the U.S. Supreme Court struck down in National Institute of Family and Life Advocates v. Becerra. Caring Families and its affiliated mobile care ministry have challenged the local ordinance in federal court, arguing that the city’s compelled statements are a violation of the First Amendment and incorrectly imply that the nonprofit is unqualified to provide the range of free services it offers to clients.