Abortion bills passed by House committee

In Utah's ever vigilant attempt to legislate our personal lives, and in specific women's human rights!

Two abortion bills have been passed by the House Health and Human Services Committee despite complaints from doctors that the language is vague and confusing and one of the measures is unnecessary.

One of the bills would make performing an illegal abortion a second-degree felony.

Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, sponsored the legislation. Under the bill, abortions after 20 weeks or so would only be legal only to protect the life or physical health of the mother, or in cases of a fatal fetal defect. Two physicians would have to signed off on the diagnosis.

The bill also narrows the definition of a woman's health to "irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."

An attorney for the Utah chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said the bill could have trouble passing if it is challenged in court as unconstitutional.

HB90S1 passed the committee with a 6-1 vote. Rep. Phil Reisen, D-Holladay, was the only opponent. He said the state should be trying to stop unwanted pregnancies instead of pushing for new abortion legislation.

The committee also passed HB222, which would require doctors to offer women the option of anesthetizing their fetuses before an abortion or other in utero procedure.

"It's difficult for me to look at it from the perspective that this needs to be made as a rule. All of us have the best interest of the fetus at heart," said Dr. Robert Ball, a fetal surgeon at St. Mark's Hospital.

Missy Bird, executive director of the Planned Parenthood Action Council, said the bill tries to lay guilt on the mother before the procedure.

"Doctors need to be able to make medically accurate statements when women are trying to make a very difficult decision," she said.

Both bills move to the House floor for debate.