The ruling partly upheld a lower court decision by Judge William Pauley, who called the law "particularly offensive to free speech principles," and struck it down in its entirety.

But in a 2-1 decision, the 2nd Circuit appeals panel reinstated one provision of the law requiring CPCs to disclose whether they have a licensed medical provider on staff who performs or directly supervises all services offered at the facility.

That portion of the ruling met with dissent from Judge Richard Wesley, who said the law's wording was vague enough to give "unbridled discretion" to city officials to determine which facilities must adhere to the requirements. The provision could see CPCs targeted for harassment or even closure by city officials who have made no secret of the fact that they want to shut them down, calling them 'sham clinics' for their refusal to offer abortion and, in some cases, contraception.

"Local Law 17 is a bureaucrat's dream," Judge Wesley wrote: "It contains a deliberately ambiguous set of standards guiding its application, thereby providing a blank check to New York City officials to harass or threaten legitimate activity." Wesley also said the city "does not have a right to sweep all those who, for faith-based reasons, think that abortion is not the right choice in with those who would defraud or intentionally mislead women making this important and personal decision."

The split decision was met with mixed feelings by CPC owners and their attorneys. They praised the appeals panel for the parts of the law they did strike down but also expressed concerns that the reinstated provision's wording may cause major problems for CPCs, which—unlike abortion clinics—are generally funded by donations, staffed by volunteers, and offer expensive services to women free of charge.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Breitbart's AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: Firebrand Mary Kutter's Poignant Birthday Tribute; 'Through All the Hell and Glory Days You Stand Here With Amazing Grace'

America's Semiquincentennial Begins: Trump Launches Massive National Mall Expo

Woman Removed from Detroit Tigers Game for Wearing 'Jesus Over Pride' Shirt

Netherlands Does the Unthinkable: Euthanize a Young Child

European Country Moves to Ban Islamic Call to Prayer (Video)

Charlie Kirk Judge Denies Tyler Robinson's Attempt to Have Potential Death Penalty Removed

The Reflecting Pool Vandalism Trump Wasn't Supposed to Be Right About

'I Think It Was God': Ex-Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Narrowly Escapes Death as Venezuela Earthquake Strikes Hotel

Venezuelans Comb Quake Rubble in Search for Survivors: 'There Are Still People Alive in There'

The Undercroft: The New Museum Located Underneath the Lincoln Memorial Opens in Time for America's 250th Birthday (Video)

Samaritan's Purse Sending Help to Venezuela after Devastating Earthquakes

Postmaster General Tells Congress USPS Will NOT DELIVER Mail-In Ballots to States That Refuse to Comply with President Trump's Election Integrity Executive Order

US Forces Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Airstrike: CENTCOM

Senate GOP Reverses Course, Rejecting War Powers Resolution after Trump Meeting

Here's What Trump Demanded from Republican Senators Behind Closed Doors

Obama Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Proof of Citizenship Requirement to Vote; Appeal Coming

SCOTUS Decides How Far States May Regulate Concealed Carry in Public

Supreme Court Rules on Endless 'Temporary Protected Status' for Aliens

Strongest Earthquakes in More Than a Century Hit Venezuela, Causing Widespread Damage, Injuries and Death; Trump Says US Ready to Help

Texas Judge Wins Big After Faith-Based Stand on Marriage, Awarded $640K