Local pro-choice activists say they’re demanding that Grass Valley’s attorney and the Nevada County counsel resist, quote, “anti-choice bullying and aggressively enforce the Reproductive FACT Act”. It was signed into law by Governor Brown last fall. It requires licensed healthcare facilities to post or distribute a notice that states that California has public programs that provide free or low-cost access to comprehensive family planning services, including abortions. The Living Well Medical Clinic in Grass Valley has sued the city’s attorney and Nevada County counsel, as well as the Attorney General, saying the law violates their first amendment right to free exercise of religion and freedom of speech. Salinas and Monterey County and Eureka and Humboldt County have also been sued by local pregnancy crisis centers. Grass Valley Attorney Michael Colantuono says they’ve settled their case, agreeing to not enforce the law until there’s an outcome in ALL the cases…

click to listen to Michael Colantuono

Nevada County is considering a similar settlement. Meanwhile, Colantuono says a Federal judge has rejected a preliminary injunction to halt enforcement while the lawsuits are pending. The ruling is being appealed, with a hearing scheduled in the summer. Citizens for Choice, which has a chapter in the county, has delivered over 25-thousand petitions to pressure legal representatives to continue enforcing the law. Colantuono says he’s scheduled to meet with the local chapter next Tuesday…

click to listen to Michael Colantuono

Colantuono says there is also a deadline of March 28th to possibly remove him from the case.