LOCAL NEWS

Utah Supreme Court to decide whether abortion trigger ban stays paused

Jul 31, 2024, 11:27 AM

The Utah Supreme Court....

FILE - The Utah Supreme Court. (KSL TV)

(KSL TV)

SALT LAKE CITY — A major ruling is set to come down Thursday impacting abortions in Utah. The Utah Supreme Court is set to rule on a lower court decision to pause Utah’s trigger ban.

The court will decide whether a pause on the ban that halts most abortions should stay in place.

If the justices rule it can stay in place, the case would get kicked to the lower 3rd District court for a full trial and abortions would stay legal until 18 weeks of pregnancy in Utah. If the court rules it cannot stay in place, meaning the pause on the trigger ban was unconstitutional, then Utah’s near-total ban on abortions could take effect while the case is litigated.

The trigger ban is Utah’s law from 2020, SB174, that took effect immediately upon the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, hence the name “trigger ban.”

The law effectively bans abortions except under limited circumstances like rape, incest, or if two maternal and fetal medicine doctors both determine a fetus has a uniformly diagnosable, lethal defect, or severe brain abnormality.

The ban passed in 2020 and Planned Parenthood sued over the law in 2022. Judge Andrew Stone of the 3rd District then granted an injunction and put the law on hold.  The state appealed that decision. In August of 2023, the Utah Supreme Court heard oral arguments in this case.

In addition to the trigger law, a preliminary injunction in the same case halts another law passed by the Utah Legislature. HB467 would have required abortions to happen only in hospitals and not clinics. But in the 2024 legislative session lawmakers repealed key parts of that law.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Nancy Duncan and Nick Jenderko behind Sabrina Carpenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards show....

Mike Anderson

Utahns get to sit among stars at the Grammys

Some Utahns earned some bragging rights after a night at the Grammy Awards.

7 minutes ago

FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise...

Daniella Rivera

‘You are inviting rapists to Utah’: Survivor urges lawmakers to consider consent bill

Year after year, Utah lawmakers have resisted or ignored efforts to close what experts and advocates say is a gap in the state’s sexual assault laws. The lawmaker behind those efforts hopes this year will be different.

1 hour ago

Over a thousand people filled the state Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to vet...

Shara Park

Thousands gather at Capitol Hill to protest against controversial union bill

Over a thousand people filled the Utah State Capitol rotunda Friday pleading for Gov. Spencer Cox to veto HB267.

1 hour ago

West Valley City police officers preforming a welfare check at the home of Sha Reh and Bu Meh on De...

Courtney Johns

Did police miss a key opportunity in West Valley family homicide?

KSL Investigators obtained body camera footage that provides insight into how West Valley City police responded to a welfare check the night before police discovered the tragic murder-suicide inside the home. 

2 hours ago

Ice Castles lit in pink and blue shades like cotton candy....

Michael Houck

Ice Castles close early due to warm weather

A popular winter attraction in Utah is ending early due to the shorter-than-expected winter season.

4 hours ago

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill on Friday explained body camera videos from Taylorsvill...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Police officers found justified in shooting, killing armed man in Taylorsville

Three Taylorsville police officers were legally justified when they opened fire on a man with a gun while responding to a domestic violence situation, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Utah Supreme Court to decide whether abortion trigger ban stays paused