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Davis Journal

Utah’s abortion amendments to go into effect

Jul 07, 2022 10:09AM ● By Becky Ginos

The legislature passed S.B. 174 Abortion Prohibition Amendments in 2020 that took effect last Friday after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle

SALT LAKE CITY—There has been a lot of controversy both before and after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last week. In Utah the decision prompted the abortion trigger law that allowed S.B. 174 Abortion Prohibition Amendments to take effect on Friday. 

However, Third District Court Judge Andrew Stone issued a temporary restraining order on Monday as requested by Planned Parenthood to block S.B. 174 while its lawsuit goes through the courts. It is good for 14 days. 

S.B 174 was passed during the 2020 Legislative session prohibiting all elective abortions in Utah except in rare circumstances such as rape, incest or medical emergency. The bill was contingent on the court’s ruling.

“It’s always been a real challenge with Roe v. Wade,” said Senate President Stuart Adams. “Ever since it was decided upon we’ve seen different cases that have been heard around the country. It makes it difficult but Utah is not alone. We’re a part-time legislature so we decided in that legislative session we should have something in place so that if it happens we’d be ready to go.”

There was a lot of thoughtful discussion, he said. “It’s the right policy. We arrived in a very good spot.”

The legislature as a whole passed that bill, Adams said. “It was done when there was less contention than we have now. We feel fortunate that we had the foresight to do that three years ago.”

It’s an emotional issue, he said. “There’s extreme passion on both sides. By far the majority (of Utahns) support the Supreme Court and the trigger law.”

The Founding Fathers got it right, said Adams. “The 10th Amendment is a significant part of the Bill of Rights. It gave states the ability to make decisions like these.”

Some governors around the nation are pro day-after abortions, he said. “There are such extremes. I believe the majority of Utahns don’t believe in abortions.”

Adams said he has several relatives who have been adopted. “They’ve told me that they wouldn’t be here if their single mom had an abortion. We need to be compassionate, kind and caring to a mom in that position. We need policies and programs to streamline the adoption process for a child, unborn child and families who would like to adopt and can’t.”

The legislature made the right decision with the bill, he said. “There is a lot we can do to help with adoption and help mothers through the process. There are religious groups and others who want to step forward and help.”

There needs to be protection for the vulnerable who don’t have the ability to protect themselves, said Adams. “It is the right thing to do. I think the Supreme Court got it right to give protection and a voice to the most vulnerable.”

“Statistically 8.2 babies are aborted every day in Utah,” Sen. Dan McCay said in a statement regarding the restraining order. “Sadly, Judge Stone sentenced 115 babies to death. It’s disappointing that a law meant to protect the most vulnerable, the unborn, is delayed by one judge with no support in the law. I’m confident that Utah’s abortion ban will be upheld, and we can work to support life.”   

Adams said he thinks the legislature got it right with S.B. 174. “I believe the current legislation reflects the will of the people in Utah.” λ