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Utah House reopens debate on bill barring public funding for abortion amid heated amendments
Summary
The House brought back a third substitute to Senate Bill 68 to prohibit state and local public funds from paying for induced abortions, sparking extended floor debate over narrow medical exceptions and several failed and proposed amendments; a major amendment narrowly failed on a 35–39 recorded vote and the chamber adjourned with remaining issues unresolved.
The Utah House of Representatives returned Senate Bill 68 to the floor on a third substitute that would bar public funds of the state, its institutions, and political subdivisions from paying for induced abortions except in specified circumstances.
Sponsors said the third substitute preserves the original bill's substance while cleaning up language after consultation with the governor's office. Representative Philpott moved the substitution and described revisions to the bill's structure and the restoration of language addressing "repercussion" and other definitions.
The session then moved to extended debate on several floor amendments. Representative Allen proposed amendment number 3 to add a narrow medical exception, reading in part that, "in the professional judgment of the woman's attending physician and after consultation with a physician skilled in the prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, the fetus is determined to have 1 or more developmental defects generally considered by the medical community to be uniformly lethal within 72 hours of birth." Allen said the change was requested by physicians and intended to protect clinicians and patients in rare, severe cases.
Opponents and proponents gave lengthy statements on the medical, ethical and fiscal implications. Representative Philpott urged colleagues to uphold the bill and argued for protecting unborn life and taxpayer stewardship. Representative Moss and other members urged care for women and added exceptions, with Moss proposing language to include rape, incest, and maternal life-or-health adjudications.
A motion to adopt Representative Allen's amendment was debated, called to division and then to a call of the House. After counting, the amendment failed on a recorded vote of 35 yes and 39 no. Additional substitute and technical amendments were offered on the floor, and members continued to debate scope, definitions (notably the term "induced"), and whether the bill would expose hospitals and clinicians to punitive measures for indirect funding.
Before the House reached a final disposition on all outstanding amendments to SB68, Representative Alexander moved to adjourn. The House approved adjournment and the floor left several SB68 matters unresolved for the next sitting.
What happens next: Sponsors and opponents may return to the floor when the House reconvenes to resume amendment votes and attempt to resolve the outstanding language and exceptions.
