'No-abort' law nixed

A New York City law that would force crisis-pregnancy centers to disclose that they don't actually provide abortions or birth control was blocked yesterday by a Manhattan federal court judge.

The new law, signed by Mayor Bloomberg in March and supported by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and pro-abortion groups, had been slated to take effect today.

But Judge William Pauley ruled that the law was "unconstitutionally vague."

Local Law 17 would have required emergency-pregnancy centers to disclose whether or not they perform abortions or give access to them; disclose if they have a medical professional on the premises; and say if emergency contraception and prenatal services are offered.

Backers of the legislation had argued that pro-life centers -- which encourage women to carry their pregnancies to term -- duped women by not making them aware of all options.

Councilwoman Jessica Lappin, the law's lead sponsor, said the city will appeal. "The judge got it wrong," she wrote in an e-mail. "Disappointed but not discouraged."