SALT LAKE CITY -
Utah may be the focal point for national debate on abortion next year. The bill, already making its way through the State House, takes abortion law in a direction it's never gone. Currently there are special protections for women who seek illegal abortions, which allows them to not be prosecuted under state statute. That may change if lawmakers remove the statute protections according to the plan that is in the works.
The legal change is inspired by a case in Vernal, where 21-year-old Aaron Harrison beat a 17-year-old acquaintance trying to make her miscarry. She was seven months pregnant and hired Harrison to beat her for $150. Harrison was sentenced to five years in prison for assault, but the girl was released. Judge Larry Steele said she could not be held liable for seeking an abortion.
Abortion rights advocates say the new law goes too far, calling an illegal abortion "murder."
"In all of the statutes throughout the country and certainly here in Utah, we have never moved to criminalize a woman in an abortion case. There's been movement to criminalize medical professionals but never a woman," said Melissa Bird of Planned Parenthood.
"We'll be the only state in the nation now that has removed the exemption to prosecution for mothers who seek illegal abortions. I think you are going to see a lot of states fall in line after we pass this law," said Rep. Carl Wimmer (R), Herriman.
FOX 13's Max Roth reports.
The legal change is inspired by a case in Vernal, where 21-year-old Aaron Harrison beat a 17-year-old acquaintance trying to make her miscarry. She was seven months pregnant and hired Harrison to beat her for $150. Harrison was sentenced to five years in prison for assault, but the girl was released. Judge Larry Steele said she could not be held liable for seeking an abortion.
Abortion rights advocates say the new law goes too far, calling an illegal abortion "murder."
"In all of the statutes throughout the country and certainly here in Utah, we have never moved to criminalize a woman in an abortion case. There's been movement to criminalize medical professionals but never a woman," said Melissa Bird of Planned Parenthood.
"We'll be the only state in the nation now that has removed the exemption to prosecution for mothers who seek illegal abortions. I think you are going to see a lot of states fall in line after we pass this law," said Rep. Carl Wimmer (R), Herriman.
FOX 13's Max Roth reports.
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