Critics say these two Utah bills are a backdoor attempt to redefine a fetus as a person, exemplary of the “personhood” bills that are being introduced around the country. Read more about them here.
found that between 2015 and 2016 about 92% of maternal deaths in the state were preventable. Over half of the maternal deaths in Utah, they found, occurred between 45-365 days after giving birth.
Lisonbee did not grant The Tribune’s request for an interview, nor did she respond to questions sent over email prior to publication of this piece. Most other attempts at establishing personhood, unlike Lisonbee’s, are wrapped into abortion laws. But critics argue that regarding a fetus as a child in less controversial laws could lead to the criminalization of pregnant people down the road.
Lisonbee, who was the House sponsor of Utah’s abortion trigger ban in 2020, isn’t the only lawmaker this session who is introducing a bill that would give a fetus personhood. Everyone who spoke in favor of the bill during public comment is involved in conservative groups that take anti-abortion positions. One person spoke against the bill, saying it doesn’t go far enough to establish personhood.