(KCPW News) The Utah House of Representatives approved a measure Monday that would require women in Utah to wait three days before getting an abortion. House Bill 461, sponsored by Republican Representative Steve Eliason, extends the waiting period from 24 to 72 hours. He says in Utah, abortions are rare, and since the initial waiting period went into effect, there has been a fairly dramatic decrease in the number of abortions.
“Probably due to several factors, but I believe one of those is, as they have time to consider all of the factors involved and they take time to make a decision, some of them change their mind,” he argued.
But Democratic Representative Carol Spackman Moss argued a reduction in abortions is caused by a number of factors.
“More than likely the reduction in the number of abortions is due to better access to birth control, which ironically is something that’s a heated topic in the news right now,” she said.
Moss says comprehensive sex education programs would also contribute to fewer abortions. The House recently signed off on a bill that would only permit strictly abstinence-only education in Utah classrooms. HB 461 passed on a 59-to-11 vote, with no Republicans opposing it, and now goes to the Senate.
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