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House adopts protocol changes to ensure emergency‑contraceptive information for sexual‑assault victims
Summary
Lawmakers passed first substitute HB132 to require that sexual‑assault victims be given information about emergency contraceptive options; amendment broadened the term 'practitioner' to include PAs and RNs and added critical‑access hospitals to the definition to improve rural access.
The House unanimously passed first substitute House Bill 132, which requires that victims of sexual assault be provided information about emergency contraceptive pills and aims to improve access in rural areas.
Sponsor Representative Jenny Biskupski said studies show informing victims about emergency contraception reduces unintended pregnancies and could lower abortion rates. She told the House that in rural Utah some hospitals were not providing this information and that the amendment clarified coverage for critical‑access hospitals and broadened the definition of “practitioner” to include physician assistants and registered nurses who can prescribe or provide the medication.
Representative Rebecca Lockhart offered the amendment (Amendment No. 2), which the House adopted; Lockhart said the change recognized that in rural settings a practitioner might not be a physician and that protecting patient privacy and access is a priority. The bill passed by a recorded vote of 71 yes and 0 no and will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
