Law Prevents New Abortion Facilities from Obtaining License
March 17, 2023 | Utah
The state of Utah will ban all abortion facilities from the state by requiring abortionists to meet the same quality standards as hospitals, a step abortion facilities call a backdoor ban on elective abortions.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox (R) signed H.B. 467, introduced by Majority Assistant Whip Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield), on Wednesday. The law prevents new abortion facilities from obtaining a license as of May 2, and bans abortions inside stand-alone abortion facilities beginning the first day of 2024.
The law mandates all abortions take place inside hospitals, or stand-alone facilities that have the “quality to provide the same degree of safety as … a general hospital licensed by the department.” Abortionists have historically opposed any regulations requiring them to meet the same health standards as other outpatient surgical centers. (Excerpt from The Washington Stand.)
