Hundreds of new laws taking effect in Utah

JOSH LOFTIN
Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A longer waiting period for abortions in Utah will likely go into effect without a legal challenge.

Planned Parenthood of Utah Executive Director Karrie Galloway says the 72-hour waiting period is burdensome for women and difficult to implement.

Galloway says while a 72-hour waiting period in South Dakota has been put on hold by a federal judge, Utah's law lacks other restrictions that raised constitutional concerns. The group does not plan to fight it in court.

Republican Rep. Steve Eliason says the law gives women time to consider their decision to abort.

The waiting period is one of about 275 Utah laws that go into effect Tuesday. Other new laws include an increased bounty for coyotes, tighter restrictions on fireworks and a ban on hookah smoking in most bars.

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