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Utah Senate approves bill allowing choice over disposition of fetal remains, after amendment and debate
Summary
The Utah Senate passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 67, which requires health-care facilities to treat fetal remains with dignity while preserving a pregnant woman’s choice over disposition; the vote was 22–6–1. Sponsors said the amendment clarified the bill does not mandate a decision by the woman; opponents voiced emotional objections.
The Utah State Senate approved Second Substitute Senate Bill 67 on a roll-call vote, moving the measure to the House for consideration.
Senator Bramble, the bill’s sponsor, said the legislation addresses how fetal remains are treated and “requires the health care facility to treat those remains with dignity through cremation or burial.” He described an amendment filed on the floor as a clarification that the bill preserves a woman’s option: “the language says, if the pregnant woman has a preference for the disposition of the aborted fetus or if the parents have a preference for the disposition of a miscarried fetus” — otherwise, “she need do nothing,” Bramble said.
Senator Davis recorded an explanation of his vote against the bill, saying he had received a constituent email that described the proposal as “hateful, spiteful, and mean.” Davis recounted the constituent’s experience with multiple miscarriages and said, “Making a mother who has just lost her child decide on the disposal that remains is exceedingly heartless.” Another senator who spoke in opposition (Senator Reby) said the measure felt “a little overreaching” when applied to grieving parents.
The Senate adopted the amendment presented by Senator Bramble and then voted on the second substitute. The clerk announced the result as 22 yay votes, 6 nay votes and 1 absent; the bill passed and will be transmitted to the House for its consideration.
The sponsor and supporters emphasized that the bill creates disposition options — burial or cremation — and that the amendment makes clear those options are available only if a woman or parents choose to exercise them. Opponents raised the emotional burden the choice could impose on parents grieving a miscarriage.
Next steps: the measure will go to the House for its committee assignment and consideration.
