Utah Judge to Consider Request to Delay Statewide Abortion Ban
Utah Court Considers Request to Delay Statewide Ban on Abortion Clinics
Breaking News: A Utah state court judge will hear a request from Planned Parenthood to delay a statewide ban on abortion clinics on Friday. This is a crucial moment for women’s rights in Utah.
Planned Parenthood Fights for Women’s Rights
In a lawsuit filed on April 3, Planned Parenthood argued that the right to bodily integrity is recognized in the Utah Constitution. The desire to remain free from governmental invasion of privacy is a fundamental right that must be protected.
“Bodily integrity is violated by nonconsensual physical intrusions,” the lawsuit states. “It includes not only risk of medical injury but any contact that is expressly unwanted.”
Republicans in Utah Legislature Pass Resolution to End Hold on Abortion Trigger Law
In March, Republicans in the Utah legislature passed a resolution to end the hold on the abortion trigger law. The final vote was 59-13 in the Senate, and Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT) signed the measure into law on March 15, according to the Daily Universe.
While abortions are legal up to 18 weeks of pregnancy in Utah, this bill would require the service to be performed at hospitals instead of clinics such as Planned Parenthood. This would severely limit women’s access to safe and affordable healthcare.
Planned Parenthood and ACLU Fight for Women’s Rights
The Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and the ACLU of Utah held a conference on March 1 to address the adverse measures the legislation would have on abortion access. “Statewide polling consistently shows that Utahans don’t want more abortion restrictions, and they don’t want Utah lawmakers limiting how their medical professionals provide care,” said Jason Stevenson, director of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Council of Utah.
What’s Next?
Judge Andrew Stone is presiding over the case. Stone ordered a preliminary action that prevented Utah’s abortion trigger law from taking effect last year, a month after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. If the ban is upheld on Friday, Utah abortion clinics will be barred starting May 3. This is a critical moment for women’s rights in Utah, and we must stand with Planned Parenthood and the ACLU to protect women’s fundamental right to healthcare.
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