House approves 'Choose Life' specialty plate after failed bid to change wording to 'Choose Adoption'

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House on Wednesday approved First Substitute House Bill 337 to create a specialty license plate whose proceeds would support organizations that help pregnant women and adoption services.

Representative Christopher Harrod, the bill sponsor, told colleagues the plate would follow a national model and that 19 states already have a 'Choose Life' plate, raising more than $9 million for related causes. "What this bill does is create a special license plate with the proceeds going to help fund organizations that help people between the process of when they might find themselves pregnant and adopting a baby," Harrod said.

Representative Janice Johnson offered Amendment 3 to replace the word "life" with "adoption" and to remove a requirement that beneficiary organizations be "registered," arguing the change would make the plate more inclusive of older children waiting for homes and would direct funds to organizations that serve children who are already in foster care. Johnson said the state had roughly 2,600–2,700 children in foster care as of late 2008 and emphasized the need to help older children as well as infants. "If what we're wanting to do is encourage adoption, then we need to show that everyone is valued," Johnson said.

Harrod resisted the change, saying the national "Choose Life" network attracts greater fundraising and that the bill contains eligibility criteria for organizations that will receive funds, including licensing and a primary mission to support adoption. He also noted the plate requires sponsors to raise about $18,000 before production so there is no fiscal cost to the state.

Members debated whether the plate should carry the word "life" or "adoption," and whether beneficiaries should be licensed agencies. Johnson said she had spoken with Russ Amerling, identified in her remarks as the head of Choose Life, who told her the national organization "is not in approval of this bill." The floor ultimately rejected Amendment 3. The bill passed the House 44 yes, 27 no and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.

The House record shows representatives from both sides of the issue emphasized support for children and for providing services to pregnant women and adoptive families; objections focused on label, affiliation with the national Choose Life movement and qualification rules for recipient organizations. The House did not adopt Johnson's amendment to change the plate language or remove the registration requirement.