Utah Representative Carl Wimmer has introduced, HB 12, "Abortion Amendments," in response to an unfortunate situation in Vernal, Utah where a 17-year-old pregnant girl resorted to desperate measures in an attempt to end her pregnancy. Unfortunately, this legislation has much broader impact and has the potential to affect the thousands of Utah women and families who get pregnant every year.

How will this bill affect pregnant women?
HB 12 would apply to any and all pregnancy losses even at the earliest stages of pregnancy and to all actions, inactions, conditions and circumstances that may be characterized or perceived as a threat to the life of an unborn child—regardless of the woman’s intent. This means any behavior a woman engages in that could be characterized as harmful to pregnancy (i.e. physical activity, taking medication, drinking coffee or alcohol, forgetting to take prenatal vitamins) could provide the basis for criminal liability under the proposed law.

How will this bill affect women who use substances while pregnant?
HB 12 will create the basis for prosecuting drug-using pregnant women. Past legislative efforts have focused on providing treatment to substance-using women, recognizing that drug-dependant women will be less likely to seek prenatal care out of fear of prosecution.

How will this bill affect women who experience miscarriage?
16% of all pregnancies in Utah result in miscarriage (6,000 a year). Pregnant women who miss prenatal care appointments, do not take prenatal vitamins, or care for older children despite doctor’s orders to remain on bed rest and happen to experience a miscarriage or stillbirth could be investigated for and/or charged with attempted killing of an unborn child. While a woman who suffers a miscarriage might ultimately be acquitted under the proposed law, she risks enduring criminal investigation, a lengthy trial, possible jail time, and the scrutiny of the media, all while grieving the loss of a child.

How will this bill affect midwifes, doulas, and family members?
HB 12 makes very clear that only pregnancy losses that occur under the direction of a physician are legal. This means that if a pregnancy loss occurs at a birth attended by a midwife or a doula, both the woman and her non-physician care providers could be charged with “killing” or “attempted killing.” It is impossible to draft a law that targets only women who “truly” intend to end their pregnancies in an unlawful way, while ensuring that pregnant women who do not intend to terminate their pregnancies or risk harm to their fetuses are protected from police investigation, arrest, and prosecution. If enacted, HB 12 has serious implications for the health, wellbeing, freedom and dignity of all pregnant Utahns.

Follow this bill! Track HB12 at the State Legislature: http://le.utah.gov/asp/billtrack/track.asp
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