By Dave Andrusko
The pro-life Utah Legislature took important steps forward this past which will take effect when Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signs House Bill 467 in law as widely anticipated.
HB 467 passed out of the Senate last Thursday and the House of Representatives on Friday. “The newly passed law would require all abortion procedures, whether through surgery or medication, to be performed by Cami Mondeaux reported. “The legislation would also discontinue abortion clinic licensing for new centers after May 2 and block clinics from operating once their current licenses expire” [].
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs “triggered two abortion bans in Utah, one that was passed in 2019 that banned the procedure after 18 weeks and another passed in 2020 that banned abortions in all cases with some exceptions,” Mondeaux explained. “However, the state’s Planned Parenthood branch sued over the 2020 abortion law, prompting a state court to delay it from taking effect until legal challenges are sorted out.”
Until the state Supreme Court renders a decision, abortion is limited to the first 18 weeks.
Rep. Karianne Lisonbee sponsored HB 467. In February 15 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, Lisonbee said, “In Utah, we deeply value human life in all stages and in all circumstances. It’s the state’s responsibility to protect the most vulnerable (including) the unborn.” She added, “At the same time, we have worked closely with area hospitals and doctors to ensure that our statute strikes the very best balance of protecting innocent life and protecting women.”
Planned Parenthood harshly criticized the bill. “HB467 prohibits the new licensing of abortion clinics starting May 3, and forces any clinic to stop providing abortions when their existing license expires,” said Jason Stevenson, the public policy director for Planned Parenthood Association of Utah. “However, the hospital-only restriction of this bill would stop these clinics from providing abortions anyway on May 3.”
Earlier this session Lisonbee told KUTV that her bill simply provided “clarification” while the state’s so-called abortion “trigger law” is still tied up in the courts, following the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24.