SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Third District Court Judge Andrew Stone ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, striking down a new law banning abortion practices at private clinics.
HB467, signed into law by Gov. Spencer Cox in the 2023 legislative session, would have taken away the power of abortion clinics from hospitals or medical clinics.
Because more than 95% of abortions in Utah are performed by licensed clinics rather than hospitals, and Utah Planned Parenthood Association health centers are not currently licensed as hospitals, this law is equivalent to a statewide ban on functional abortions.
Sarah Stoss, interim president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah:
“Today’s court decision allows the people of Utah to breathe a huge sigh of relief. It means clinics can continue to provide essential medical care to our patients, who have been struggling for months with the impact of this law on their lives.” 467 is not just a “cleanup bill.” This will force Planned Parenthood health centers and other providers to turn away those seeking legal health care that we are trained and prepared to provide. While we welcome this victory, the health and personal liberties of Utahns The threat to U.S. remains serious as politicians continue to undermine our judicial process and fight Utah’s injunction against the trigger ban. Despite these outrageous attacks, we continue to protect Utahns’ lives, their access to health care, and their constitutional rights. We will continue to protect the rights guaranteed to us no matter what.
Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, also made the following statement:
“We are grateful that the Court blocked this extremely harmful law and provided much-needed relief to Utahns who needed abortion services before it went into effect. Last summer, the US Supreme Court opened the floodgates and anti-abortion politicians Rushed to restrict reproductive freedom in Utah and across the nation, even if it means undermining judicial processes.Planned Parenthood supports Utah health centers as they continue to struggle to provide needed abortion care .
American Civil Liberties Union of Utah Foundation, Inc. John Mejia, Legal Director, said, “Today’s decision is a victory for the civil rights and liberties of all Utahns. The Court affirmed that the legislature does not have unlimited power to eliminate fertility care provided in a safe and positive environment and imposed significant limits on the state’s power over our health care choices. Through this historic case, our fight for all Utahns continues.”
