Committee wants to continue to collect abortion statistics in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — The federal government requires information to be gathered annually regarding state abortion statistics, and while the state utilizes the statistics, state code does not require it to be done.

Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, wants to be sure that even though federal requirements might change, the state continues to collect information "for future legislation" regarding abortion, she said. The Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee voted to favor SB60, which would put the information gathering into state law.

Information on abortions, including a woman's age, race and the gestation period when the abortion occurs, is reported annually by abortion clinics throughout the state.

The bill now goes before the state Senate for consideration.

— Wendy Leonard

Twitter: wendyleonards