Abortion Bill Moves Forward

ST. GEORGE - A bill that would prohibit abortions after 18 weeks of pregnancy is moving forward after being approved by a House committee.

HB 136 from Republican Representative Cheryl Acton passed yesterday on a 7-5 vote, sending the bill to a full vote in the House.

Acton changed the bill earlier this week, increasing the number of weeks abortions would be allowed from 15 to 18 in hopes of helping the bill survive expected legal challenges.

The bill includes exceptions for a pregnancy that results from rape or where the fetus has certain birth defects.

Doctors have spoken out against the bill, noting that it takes between 18-to-20 weeks for an ultrasound to find defects considered fatal.