Utah Legislature increases inspections of abortion clinics

SALT LAKE CITY — Abortion clinics in Utah will undergo more frequent inspections under a bill the Legislature passed.

Instead of every two years, HB171 requires the Utah Department of Health to inspect without notice the state's three abortion clinics twice a year. All three clinics are located in Salt Lake County. Doctors' offices that perform elective abortions also must undergo the semi-annual inspections.

The Senate approved the measure 22-6 Wednesday. The House earlier approved the measure sponsored by Rep. Carl Wimmer, R-Herriman, and it now goes to the governor for consideration.

Senate Democrats voted against the bill and made an unsuccessful attempt to table it for study.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake, said the bill is an attempt to slow down or intimidate a woman's right of choice.

"Why do we want to hassle these clinics who are providing health care to women?" he said.

Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said it's difficult for him to see how semi-annual inspections would be intimidating or excessive. He couldn't point to any specific problems at local clinics but said there are some problems nationally. He called the bill pre-emptive.

"It seems like the message we want to send is we approve of health care for women in some areas but not others," said Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake.

Robles said if the legislators want to expand the government's regulatory authority it should apply to all clinics across the state.

— Dennis Romboy