What: Closing arguments in The People of the State of California v. Heartbeat International and RealOptions—a nearly three-year legal battle and six-week bench trial over pro-life pregnancy centers’ speech about Abortion Pill Reversal (APR). Thomas More Society represents Heartbeat International and RealOptions. More background on the case can be found here.

When: Today, Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. PT.

Where: Alameda County Superior Court, Oakland, CA, before the Honorable Patrick McKinney. (Hearing is held in the Alameda County Administration Building).

Significance:

• The California Attorney General has not identified a single woman harmed or deceived by Abortion Pill Reversal (APR)—the progesterone protocol at the heart of the case.
• Heartbeat International and RealOptions share information about APR for free to women who seek it. Thomas More Society attorneys argue California’s advertising law does not reach the speech of the religious, pro-life non-profit ministries sued by the AG because their speech related to APR is non-commercial and protected by the First Amendment. The defense also argues that the AG has failed to show any statement was false or misleading.
• APR remains legal in California and is approved for continuing education by the California Board of Registered Nursing, with published research and real-world outcomes backing its use for women who want to continue a pregnancy.
• Heartbeat International and RealOptions say their faith calls them to help women save the lives of their unborn children, and that offering APR information is part of living out that calling. To silence such religiously motivated speech, Thomas More Society attorneys argue, would violate their free speech and free exercise rights.
• A ruling—which observers say could set a first-of-its-kind precedent for using consumer protection law against a nonprofit’s religiously motivated speech—is expected within 90 days following Thursday’s arguments.

Available for comment/interviews following closing arguments:

• Peter Breen, Executive Vice President & Head of Litigation, Thomas More Society
• Paul M. Jonna, Special Counsel, Thomas More Society & Partner, LiMandri and Jonna LLP
• Danielle White, General Counsel, Heartbeat International

Read the Defendants’ Closing Trial Brief, submitted to the court by Thomas More Society on behalf of Heartbeat and RealOptions, in The People of the State of California v. Heartbeat International and RealOptions, here.