SALT LAKE CITY — A bill on Capitol Hill that’s looking to ban elective abortions in Utah passed the house committee Monday morning.
People for and against Senate Bill 174 packed the committee meeting to make their opinions known on the controversial bill.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Dan McCay, passed the committee by a vote of 10 to 3.
“When you look at where the State of Utah has been historically and where we still are today, it’s important that we let the Supreme Court know as well as other states what good policy looks like when you’re looking at an abortion ban,” said Senator Dan McCay.
S.B. 174 will ban elective abortions in Utah only if Roe V. Wade is overturned. However, it does make exceptions in cases of sexual assault, incest or health concerns for mothers.
“Well I will certainly be reaching out to all of the other legislators and sharing my experience and letting them know that abortion isn’t a bad thing for women, that it’s a good thing and that women need to have access to that care,” said Meredith Reed.
Other people against the bill say the decision to have an abortion should be between the patient and a doctor, not a group of politicians.
“This is an important part of women’s healthcare and it needs to remain safe and legal,” said Reed.
Senator McCay says he understands the bill is controversial and is still willing to make amendments.
“The legislative process is one that is constantly an amendment, right? So, we’re still looking at ways that we can make improvements,” said Senator McCay.
The bill now heads to the House floor for another discussion and vote.
