Utah Legislature Passes 72-Hour Abortion Waiting Period

March 20, 2012

The Utah legislature has approved a bill to lengthen the waiting period for a woman seeking an abortion from 24 to 72 hours, Baptist Press reports. The state Senate passed the bill with a 22-6 vote March 8, two days after the House of Representatives approved it, 59-11. Republican Rep. Steve Eliason, the bill's sponsor, said before the House vote: "An abortion cannot be undone. ... Why would we not want to afford a woman facing a life-changing decision 72 hours to consider ramifications that could last a lifetime?" If enacted, the legislation would tie Utah with South Dakota for the longest waiting period in the country, though a federal judge has blocked South Dakota's 72-hour waiting period from taking effect.