This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Women who need an abortion to save their lives soon may soon no longer be required to first watch a state-mandated video and read state pamphlets on alternatives including adoption.
The House voted 72-0 Monday to pass SB71, and sent it to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature. The bill earlier also unanimously passed the Senate on a 25-0 vote.
Sen. Wayne Harper, R-Taylorsville, sponsor of the bill, earlier told the Senate that it is a narrow exception that may affect 60 to 100 women a year. "It is the compassionate thing to do, the right thing to do."
The bill would allow avoiding the video and information when an "abortion is necessary to avert the woman's death or a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function," or when two doctors agree that a fetus has a fatal defect.
Sen. Brian Shiozawa, R-Cottonwood Heights, a doctor, also said earlier, "The last thing we need in a life-threatening situation is to have our hands tied and make the patient feel emotionally worse to watch a mandatory video."