Bill to bar abortions due to Down syndrome passes committee

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah Senate committee has approved legislation barring abortions sought because a fetus has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

This is the second year the bill has been introduced, and the committee vote on Wednesday came after the sponsor added language addressing concerns that the bill could be unconstitutional.

Rep. Karianne Lisonbee says the bill would only go into effect if a similar measure has been upheld in court. She says too many fetuses with a Down syndrome diagnosis are being aborted. People with Down syndrome and their families also spoke in favor of the measure.

Planned Parenthood of Utah says the bill is an effort to restrict abortion, and the personal, complex decision to terminate a pregnancy should be left to families and doctors

The bill now goes to the full House.