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Senate advances, then passes SB 4 to clarify Utah abortion statute after hours-long amendments debate
Summary
Senate Bill 4, presented by Senator Lane Beatty, was amended on the floor to clarify criminal liability language, include licensing references and adjust exclusions; after debate and explanations from members and opponents the Senate passed the bill by recorded vote 22-6-1.
The Utah State Senate moved Senate Bill 4, a comprehensive set of clarifications to the state—s abortion statute, through floor consideration and passed the measure after extended debate and several amendments.
Senator Lane Beatty, the bill sponsor, led senators through multiple technical changes intended to clarify definitions, remove certain criminal-liability language, and align professional-licensing references with the Utah Medical Practices Act. Among the changes adopted on the floor were edits to the criminal-homicide language to specify intent and to remove criminal liability provisions for a woman seeking an abortion in specified subsections; language was also clarified about exceptions, grounds to save the pregnant woman—s life and the scope of terms used in the preamble.
Beatty described several line-by-line clarifications and explained why some preamble language was being removed to avoid constitutional questions. He also said the bill restores an appropriation requested by the Attorney General—s Office so they can begin work immediately.
Opponents voiced constitutional and policy objections on the floor. "I too feel that this bill is unconstitutional and for that reason I would vote against it and also for the reason that we're taking away a woman's right of choice," one senator said during debate. Supporters argued the bill cleaned up technical and drafting problems and would give the state clearer statutory language to defend.
When the Senate called the final roll, it recorded 22 ayes, 6 nays and 1 absent; the bill passed the Senate and will be sent on for further action. Senate debate included requests for precise statutory language and multiple adopted amendments intended to make the statute—s application clearer to courts and litigants.
