Utah bill would criminalize miscarriages

Some newspapers and websites are reporting that the Utah House of Representatives has passed a bill that would make some miscarriages punishable by law.  According to this bill, women could be prosecuted for an "intentional, knowing, or reckless act" that led to a miscarriage.  The word "reckless" is undefined, leaving open the possibility that a woman could be charged with murder for someone else's interpretation of the word.  Commentator Anna North posed the question if this would leave a woman vulnerable to a homicide indictment for not wearing a seatbelt or falling down the stairs.

The bill itself is disturbing enough.  What is even more frightening is the enormous support of the bill in the Utah House.  It is also disturbing that this news hasn't received much attention.  Most of the reports I found were in Utah newspapers such as The Salt Lake Tribune and a few websites and blogs. 


Thanks to Kimberly for posting this on facebook and bringing it to our attention.