50-06-26. Alternatives-to-abortion program

50-06-26. Alternatives-to-abortion program 1. As used in this section, "support services" includes medical services and post-abortion services. 2. The department shall establish and maintain an alternatives-to-abortion program that disburses funds to nongovernmental entities that provide services that promote childbirth instead of abortion by providing information, counseling, support services, and material assistance to pregnant women, women who believe they may be pregnant, and parents or other relatives caring for children twelve months of age or younger. 3. The department, in consultation with a nongovernmental entity that provides alternatives-to-abortion services, shall contract to inform the public about this program. 4. A religious organization receiving disbursements under the alternatives-to-abortion program may retain its independence from state and local governments, including the organization's control over the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs. 5. The department may not require a religious organization to alter its form of internal governance, or remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols as a condition to receiving disbursements from the alternatives-to-abortion program. 6. If an individual receiving services under the alternatives-to-abortion program has an objection to the religious character of the entity providing alternatives-to-abortion services, the department shall, within a reasonable period of time after the date of the objection, make reasonable efforts to provide the individual with assistance of an equal value from an alternative provider accessible to the individual. 7. Except as otherwise provided by law, a religious organization may not discriminate against an individual in regard to providing alternatives-to-abortion services on the basis of religion, religious belief, or refusal to actively participate in religious practice. 8. If a religious organization segregates funds received from the alternatives-to-abortion program into a separate account, then only the account in which funds were deposited may be subject to an audit by the state. 9. Funds from the alternatives-to-abortion program may not be used for religious worship, instruction, or proselytization.