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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's House of Representatives passed legislation Monday barring abortions sought because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome, sending the measure to the Senate despite warnings from their attorneys that there's a high probability a court will rule it's unconstitutional.
Bill sponsor Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, contends abortions based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome are "a eugenic-like eradication" of an entire group of people. Lisonbee said her bill is about protecting people with Down syndrome from discrimination.
The genetic abnormality can cause developmental delays and medical conditions such as respiratory and hearing problems and heart defects.
"I am not trying to change your feelings on abortion, but to bring your attention to one of the worst kinds of discrimination possible," Lisonbee said.
Rep. Ray Ward, R-Bountiful, unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to require that the state pay $1.8 million annually to provide services to people with Down syndrome. If Utah is going to require women and parents to take on the responsibility of caring for a child with Down syndrome, the state has a responsibility to help too, Ward said.
Utah has a long list of people with Down syndrome waiting for behavioral help and other assistance from the state, he said, including a family who has been waiting 22 years for their child to get help.
Lisonbee and other lawmakers opposing Ward's proposal argued it dealt with a separate issue and could kill her bill.
The GOP-controlled House ended debate on the bill and passed it with little discussion of Lisonbee's bill, instead focusing most of their 30-minute discussion on Ward's proposal.
Related:
Proposed law would penalize doctors for not providing info to women seeking abortion
A Senate committee endorsed a bill Wednesday that would penalize doctors for not showing women an informational video before performing an abortion.Democrats objected, saying in a statement that there was no discussion about the possibility of the bill being unconstitutional.
"This is not a process that our House can be proud of," said Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City.
The bill would make it a misdemeanor for a doctor to perform an abortion knowing that the pregnant woman is seeking it because of a diagnosis or suspicion that the fetus has Down syndrome.
Doctors could face up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine under the proposal, but women seeking such abortions would not be charged.
A handful of states have passed similar laws or are considering adopting them this year.
Contributing: Preston Cathcart
