Bill pushing to close Utah abortion clinics by 2024 moves forward

SALT LAKE CITY — A brand new invoice that may require all abortion clinics within the state to shut by 2024 handed out of committee on Wednesday.

The Home Judiciary Committee heard touch upon HB 467, which is sponsored by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield).

“We assume that about January 2024 is unquestionably when the case will, we are going to see a disposition on the case, we really put that language within the invoice,” mentioned Rep. Lisonbee.

Rep. Lisonbee’s invoice would require abortions to be carried out in a hospital with restricted exceptions. It will additionally prohibit the licensing of abortion clinics within the state after Could 2nd, 2023.

“It is the state’s duty to guard essentially the most susceptible and that does embody the unborn,” mentioned Rep. Lisonbee.

Rep. Lisonbee’s invoice additionally limits exceptions for incest to solely be made for youngsters beneath the age of 12 and exceptions for pregnancies that have not reached 18 weeks.

Language in her invoice additionally states it could be a prison offense for anybody apart from docs licensed right here in Utah to prescribe abortion drugs.

The invoice was met with opposition by lawmakers on the opposite aspect of the isle.

“I do not wish to be part of controlling individuals’s most elementary reproductive decisions, I do not need, once I’m concerned in making these primary reproductive decisions, as I’ve been personally,” mentioned Rep. Brian King (D-Salt Lake).

A few dozen individuals spoke earlier than committee members on Wednesday.

Gabby Saunders is a lobbyist with the American Faculty of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

She spoke out towards HB 467, calling this a really complicated concern with a variety of emotion.

“We’re placing girls in positions the place they could have to decide on their very own life and or they could have to decide on watching their little one be born and undergo tremendously On the expense of wherever from $5,000 to $20,000 when there are clinics which are completely protected,” mentioned Saunders.

Mary Kelch, the CFO with Professional-Life Utah advised FOX 13 Information she is comfortable to see the invoice transfer ahead.

“We hoped on June 24 when our injunction or when our set off regulation went into place, that may be the top of abortion,” mentioned Kelch. “Clearly any extra protections we are able to get on the market for girls had been enthusiastic about, we’re for girls.”

HB 467 now strikes to the complete home for a vote.

Additionally passing out of the Home Judiciary Committee on Wednesday was HB 297, which is sponsored by Rep. Kera Birkeland (R-Morgan).

Rep. Birkeland’s invoice requires rape victims to report back to police with the intention to receive emergency abortion remedy.