This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House fell in line with its Senate counterpart on Wednesday, putting a final stamp of approval on the way fetal remains are to be handled in Utah following a miscarriage or abortion.
If signed by the governor, the amended SB67 would give women who miscarry at any point during gestation a choice for the resulting biological remains to be cremated or buried, or also disposed of as medical waste at the responsibility of the medical facility, should they choose.
“Women who miscarry or abort their babies often deal with grief and regret when not given the chance to decide how the remains of their baby are disposed of,” said Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Syracuse, the House sponsor of the bill.
She said the choice “gives the woman the right to have closure and comfort” following what could be a traumatic and emotional situation.
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Alliance for a Better Utah issued a statement saying, “The purpose of the bill has always been to further the extremist agenda of a small group of people about the deeply personal and sensitive issue of abortion.
“Instead of treating all fetal tissue equally, this bill allows for different treatment based on whether a woman had a miscarriage or an abortion,” the nonprofit continued.
The progressive group notes that Utah already has more than 30 restrictions on abortion, including that it can’t be done beyond 18 weeks of gestation, except in cases of dangers posed to the mother.
This article originally appeared in the Deseret News. Read it in its entirety here.
