Proposed Abortion Ban At 18 Weeks Narrowly Passes Committee
Feb 20, 2019, 5:27 PM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:15 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) — A Utah legislative proposal that would ban most abortions after 18 weeks of gestation has narrowly passed out of a House committee.
The judiciary committee voted 7-5 on Wednesday to send the measure to the full House.
The vote comes one day after the bill’s sponsor, Republican Rep. Cheryl Acton, revised a proposal that originally would have banned the procedure after 15 weeks. She says she did if for strategic reasons,” and to help the idea survive a court challenge that’s likely if it becomes law.
The 18-week deadline brings the bill in line with a similar proposal in Arkansas.
Opponents have warned the measure is likely unconstitutional and could embroil the state in a costly legal fight.
