Gov. Tate Reeves signed The Pregnancy Resource Act into law Thursday. The first law of its kind in the nation, HB 1685 establishes a $3.5 million tax credit to help pregnancy resource centers serve women and children in their communities.

The bill passed the Senate and House with only nine opposing votes, including support from Brookhaven legislators Rep. Becky Currie, Rep. Vince Mangold and Sen. Jason Barrett.

“We thank Gov. Reeves, Speaker (Philip) Gunn … and all our local allies for backing front-line heroes in the fight to save lives,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Pro-life pregnancy centers in Mississippi and across America offer loving alternatives to abortion, providing vital services typically at no cost. Their mostly volunteer staff often does it on a fraction of the budget of abortion businesses like Planned Parenthood, which rakes in half a billion in taxpayer dollars a year.”

Reeves said the state has “an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every heartbeat inside the womb has the opportunity to beat outside the womb.”

“Coupled with strong state laws protecting unborn children and their mothers, including the limit on painful late abortions after 15 weeks which is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, Mississippi shows the pro-life movement is ready to support women and families and build a culture of life in a nation without abortion,” Dannenfelser said. “We hope elected leaders everywhere follow their lead.”

Mississippi is home to more than 30 pregnancy centers that provide care and practical support to women and babies before and after birth. In 2019 alone, these centers provided $1.9 million in services and materials to more than 12,000 people. Millions of clients are served every year by 2,700 centers nationwide.