Monday, it was announced that HB205, the Down Syndrome Nondiscrimination Abortion Act, is now in existence.
The proposed bill, which is sponsored in the House by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee and in the Senate by Sen. Curtis S. Bramble, seeks to “prohibit a person from performing, inducing, or attempting to perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman who is seeking the abortion because an unborn child has, or may have, Down syndrome.”
As disability advocates, caretakers, and Utah citizens, we are shocked and gravely concerned upon hearing the announcement of this piece of legislation.
We believe that Lisonbee’s true motive is to use children with Down syndrome to further her agenda to oppress and attack women’s reproductive health in the state of Utah. Her goal is not to improve the quality of life for loved children with Down syndrome.
Instead, Lisonbee is exploiting Utah citizens’ compassion for children with disabilities to undermine a women’s right to choose when and how to start a family — a choice that should always stay between a woman, her doctor and her support system. Utah is a state that claims to value family and faith above all else, yet HB205 is completely contrary to those values.
If Rep. Lisonbee truly cares about improving the quality of life for children with disabilities, she would seek to improve Utah’s state-funded programs — including education, accessible health care and support services to caregivers of children with disabilities. Rep. Lisonbee and Sen. Bramble would sponsor bills that protect children with disabilities who are already alive, and living in unsafe conditions.
It feels almost (if not certainly) intentional that Lisonbee announced this piece anti-abortion legislation on the 45th anniversary of the Supreme Court landmark ruling of Roe v. Wade. We believe HB205 is unconstitutional, thanks to the ruling of Roe v. Wade.
Her complete lack regard for the bodily autonomy of Utahn women is shameful.
HB205 is offensive to children with disabilities, their families and caretakers, and all the citizens of the Beehive State. We do not have to to take Lisonbee’s bait; we do not have to choose between supporting women or supporting people with disabilities. Both groups deserve basic human rights, and Lisonbee cannot trick our community into using marginalized communities as political pawns.
Genevra Prothero, Syracuse, is the Davis County Democratic Party secretary. Dawn Nunn, Fruit Heights, is a mother and caregiver of an adult with a disability. Spenser Penrod, Layton, is a caregiver of adults with mental and physical disabilities. Jacob Penrod, Layton, is a candidate for the 16th District seat in the Utah House.