SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 News)- Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes agreed Thursday to delay enforcement of the 18-week abortion ban pending the court challenge.
Here is his statement:
Since we expect this case or one like it to be elevated to the United States Supreme Court, this injunction lets both the State and the Plaintiffs carefully and thoughtfully build factual records in support of their positions. In the process, we look forward to vigorously defending HB 136 and explaining why it constitutionally protects the most vulnerable among us. The passion and conviction this case creates on both sides of the matter is not surprising. The issues here are deeply personal and some of the most pressing our society faces. Besides presenting questions about the fundamental right of the unborn to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as the health and safety of the mother and her rights, the case raises important questions about governmental power and the proper role of courts. We, therefore, take the Plaintiff’s legal challenge extremely seriously. These questions are fundamental to who we are—and what we stand for as Americans.
The bill, HB 136, was signed into law by Governor Gary Herbert last month.
Last week, abortion rights groups filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the law.
