Abortion Ruling May Renew Lawsuit in Utah

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a ban on partial birth abortion and the decision has major implications for Utah abortion laws. KCPW's Julie Rose reports:

 

Expect more abortion-related legislation from Utah lawmakers now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a ban on partial birth abortion. Yesterday's 5-4 ruling in Washington clears the way for Utah to reopen its own court case on the issue.

Four years ago, the Utah Legislature passed a similar ban. Planned Parenthood and the Utah Women's Clinic sued claiming it was too broad and should include an exception for the health of the mother. The State of Utah agreed to an injunction on the ban pending the Supreme Court's decision. With that ruling now in hand, Utah's attorneys will likely ask the court to lift the injunction and proceed defending the ban.

Meanwhile, Representative Paul Ray vows to take things further with either an outright abortion ban or a trigger law that would ban abortion if Roe versus Wade is overturned. He also says he may revive a bill that would require Utah doctors to administer anesthesia to a fetus during an abortion. He believes yesterday's Supreme Court ruling gives new credence to his claim that a fetus feels pain.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2008 KCPW