Utah Gov. Signs Into Law Measure Requiring State To Collect Abortion Data
March 27, 2013 — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) on Friday signed into law a measure (SB 60) that requires the state to collect and retain data on the number of abortions in the state, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
The state already collects some abortion data for the federal government (Gehrke, Salt Lake Tribune, 3/25).
The law -- which was sponsored by state Sen. Margaret Dayton (R) -- requires the Utah Department of Health to collect information on women who obtain abortions, including their race or ethnicity; the stage of gestation; and the stated reason, if any, for the abortion (Women's Health Policy Report, 3/14).
Dayton has said that the data will provide lawmakers with additional information when they consider future abortion legislation. However, critics contend that the law will allow the government to intrude in private decisions (AP/Standard-Examiner, 3/25).
AT-A-GLANCE
Issues
State by State
ABOUT REPRO WATCH
Repro Health Watch — an exciting new edition of the Women’s Health Policy Report — compiles and distributes media coverage of proposed and enacted state laws and ballot initiatives affecting women's access to comprehensive reproductive health care, as well as litigation in response to those provisions.
