Planned Parenthood Association of Utah v. State of Utah
What's at Stake
This case involves a challenge to Utah Senate Bill (“S.B.”), a law that criminalizes nearly all abortions in Utah. In June 2022, Planned Parenthood Association of Utah (“PPAU”), one of only two abortion providers in the state, challenged S.B. 174 in Utah state court. It is currently litigating in the Utah Supreme Court to ensure the law remains blocked while courts consider the case. PPAU is represented in the appeal by the ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative, along with the ACLU of Utah, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Utah law firm Zimmerman Booher. In August 2024, in a major win for Utahns, the Court affirmed the lower court order blocking SB 174. As a result, abortion remains legal in Utah until 18 weeks of pregnancy.
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Summary
S.B. 174 criminalizes nearly all abortions in Utah with only three narrow exceptions. Originally passed in 2020, S.B. 174 went into effect on June 24, 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. Alongside Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Zimmerman Booher, the ACLU of Utah filed a lawsuit on behalf of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah in state district court, arguing that the law violates several rights guaranteed by the Utah Constitution, including Utah’s unique equal-rights provision.
A state trial court blocked enforcement of the law while the litigation proceeded. The State of Utah appealed that temporary injunction. In August 2024, in a major win for Utahns, the Court affirmed the lower court order blocking SB 174. As a result, abortion remains legal in Utah until 18 weeks of pregnancy.
You can read more about the history of this case and view additional trial-court filings here.