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In Idaho

After Roe, abortion is never legal except to save a mother’s life or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.  Connect with your local family policy council to stay up-to-date on the pro-life movement in your state. Then, keep reading to find out more about your state’s post-Roe abortion laws.

THE BIG QUESTION

After Roe, does my state ban nearly all abortions or allow nearly all abortions?

Idaho bans all abortions except when necessary to save the life of the mother and in cases of rape or incest. H.B. 374, 67th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (Id. 2023) (effective July 1, 2023).

WHAT’S NEXT

What is my state’s next step in the fight for life, now that Roe is overturned?

Idaho bans nearly all abortions now that Roe is overturned. This made Idaho one of the top states ready for After Roe in America. Our state’s top priority will be to ensure these abortion bans remain in place.

MORE ABOUT YOUR STATE’S ABORTION LAWS

Below, we’ve summarized what abortion laws are in your state after Roe.

Abortion Limits, Exceptions and Enforcement

Limitations on abortions

If my state won’t ban all abortions, what are the limits to abortion?

Because Idaho bans almost all abortions, Idaho’s other, lesser limitations and regulations on abortion are no longer be necessary.

Exceptions to any limitations

Are there any exceptions to those limitations placed on abortion?

Yes: to save the mother’s life or, during the first trimester, if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. H.B. 374, 67th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (Id. 2023) (effective July 1, 2023). (effective July 1, 2023).

Penalties for performing an illegal abortion

What are the penalties to abortion providers for committing an illegal abortion (one of the forms of abortion that my state has limited under the law)?

Violations of the trigger law bill are a felony punishable by 2-5 years imprisonment and suspension of the violator’s medical license for at least 6 months. H.B. 374, 67th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (Id. 2023) (effective July 1, 2023.

Enforcement

When abortion laws are violated, who can file a lawsuit to enforce their rights and the law?

The mother or father of the unborn child may bring a civil suit for damages against the physician. The mother, her parents, her husband, her maternal grandparent, or the state attorney general may file for injunctive relief blocking the abortion provider from providing abortion care after 20 weeks in future instances. Idaho Code Ann. § 18-618.

Special standards of care

Does my state impose a special medical standard of care on abortion providers?

If an abortion must be performed within one of the allowed exceptions, the physician must perform it in the manner which gives the unborn child the best chance to survive. H.B. 374, 67th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (Id. 2023) (effective July 1, 2023).

Protecting Fundamental Rights

Parents

Does my state give parents the right to consent for their child to get an abortion?

Yes, consent from one parent is required, but may be waived if the mother is a victim of rape or incest. This state also has a method where a minor can obtain permission from the courts to receive an abortion without parental notice or consent. This provision is obsolete in light of Idaho’s near-total abortion ban. Idaho Code § 18-609A (Enacted 2000; Last Amended 2007).

Medical professionals

Does my state have conscience protections for medical professionals who do not want to participate in abortions?

Yes: Physicians and healthcare professionals may refuse to provide or assist in providing abortions.  Any person intending to refuse to provide such services must state such objections in writing.

Upon objection by its governing board, a hospital may refuse to admit a woman or to furnish facilities for the purpose of abortion services.

These refusals may not be exercised in life-threatening situations. Idaho Code § 18-611 (Enacted 2010; Amended 2011) and § 18-612 (Enacted 1973).

Babies Born Alive

Are there legal protections for babies born alive following a botched abortion in my state?

No

Safety & Health of Women

Physician-only requirement

Does an abortion have to be provided by a licensed physician in my state?

Yes: Only a physician licensed by the state to practice medicine and surgery or osteopathic medicine and surgery may conduct abortions.  H.B. 374, 67th Leg., 1st Reg. Sess. (Id. 2023) (effective July 1, 2023).

All second-trimester abortion services be provided in a hospital.  Idaho Code § 18-608(2) (Enacted 1973).

Providers must have transfer arrangements with one or more acute-care hospitals within reasonable proximity. There are no exceptions for clinics in rural areas, or if no local hospitals agree to a transfer arrangement.  Idaho Code § 18-608(1) (Enacted 1973).

Informed consent

Does my state’s law require that a woman give informed consent and/or receive counseling prior to allowing an abortion to be performed?

Yes: a physician must receive the woman’s informed consent before performing an abortion. However, this provision is largely irrelevant in light of Idaho’s nearly total abortion ban. Idaho Code § 18-609.

Waiting period

Does my state place any waiting requirement on abortion so that a mother has more time to decide?

Yes, a 24-hour waiting period after counseling is required; however, this provision is largely unnecessary in light of Idaho’s nearly total abortion ban.  Idaho Code §§ 18-609.

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