* Parents should have the right to choose the final disposition of fetal remains if they desire. It merely puts the CHOICE in the hands of the woman, or parents in the case of a miscarriage. Nothing is required of parents if they wish for the healthcare facility to provide for the final disposition.

*Giving a woman the right to choose how her baby is disposed of, if she so desires, provides closure and comfort. Women who miscarry or abort their babies are often deal with grief and regret when  not given the chance to decide how the remains of their baby is disposed of. 

*Human remains should be treated with dignity and respect. Healthcare facilities are required to handle the fetal remains with respect and dignity rather than being tossed in with other medical waste. 

*The bill provides for the out of state transport of fetal remains should a woman who has miscarried desire that. Current Utah law does not allow for a woman who miscarries in the state to transport her baby home for burial.

This bill:

• requires a health care facility having possession of an aborted fetus or miscarried fetus to provide for the final disposition of the fetal remains;
• requires a health care facility to provide certain information to a woman regarding the disposition of an aborted fetus or miscarried fetus;
• requires a health care provider to notify a woman regarding the right to determine the final disposition of the remains of the aborted fetus before performing an abortion;

“It is very painful to lose a child — whether through miscarriage or abortion — and all of us deal with that pain in a different way. For those women who that would make no difference, this bill makes no difference, but for those of us who would opt to treat those remains with respect and dignity, and have some determination in the final disposition, it makes a huge difference.” -Mary Taylor, president of Pro-Life Utah