Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House cleans up informed-consent law, adds notice that women may view ultrasound images
Summary
Lawmakers approved H.B. 200 to reorganize and clarify informed-consent provisions and add a requirement that women be informed they have the right to an ultrasound and may view images; an amendment to remove a '3-week' gestational reference failed.
The Utah House voted to approve H.B. 200, a reorganization and cleanup of the state's Informed Consent law regarding abortion, and adopted a provision requiring that a patient be informed of the right to an ultrasound and able to view images if she chooses.
Sponsor Representative Wimmer said the measure mostly reinstates existing language in a clearer form and that the only substantial change is informational: doctors must inform a woman of the option to view ultrasound images. "This bill is about information. It's about transparency," he said, emphasizing that viewing is optional.
The floor considered an amendment from Representative Litback to delete a line referencing detection of embryonic cardiac activity at "3 weeks" gestational age, with Litback arguing that the 3‑week reference is medically inaccurate. Wimmer resisted the amendment and said nonpartisan Lehi research found the language permissible. Medical proponents of deletion said embryonic cardiac activity is generally not reliably seen at that early interval. The motion to delete failed.
After debate, the House approved H.B. 200 by a recorded vote of 53–15; the bill is now referred to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: the measure will be assigned in the Senate and may receive committee hearings there.
