Utah governor signs abortion clinic ban in latest post-Roe move to defend 'innocent' and 'unborn'
Posted 10 days ago
From WWW.FOXNEWS.COM
Utah became the latest state to enact an anti-abortion law on Wednesday after Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation preventing abortion clinics from obtaining new licenses in the coming months. The law eliminates the procedure altogether at health clinics in 2024.
The move comes amid a push by states to determine their own abortion laws after the U. S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Many Republican-controlled states have rushed to outlaw abortions in the post-Roe healthcare landscape, while Democratic states have sought to codify abortion rights.
Cox, a Republican, signed the law which implements a de-licensing process, preventing clinics from obtaining new licenses after May 2. The law institutes a complete ban on abortion procedures at health clinics starting Jan. 1, 2024.
Utah's lawmakers have previously said the law would protect "the innocent" and "the unborn," adding the state no longer needs abortion clinics after the high court overturned the constitutional right to abortion.
Its passage prompted some confusion among clinics, hospitals and prospective patients, as hospital administrators have not publicly detailed their plans to adapt to the new law.
Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and the Utah Hospital Association further declined to detail how the new legal landscape for providers in Utah will affect abortion access.
At least 21 states are embroiled in legal fights to outlaw or keep abortion.
Jason Stevenson, a Planned Parenthood lobbyist, said Wednesday the association would be "looking closely" at the wording of the 1,446-line law and could apply for a new license to perform hospital-equivalent services.
Stevenson said Planned Parenthood could continue to provide the majority of its services such as STI and pregnancy testing, along with cancer screenings.... (Read more)
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