Legislation currently under review in Idaho, House Bill 242, seeks to safeguard minors and parental rights by criminalizing assisting a minor in obtaining an abortion without parental consent. Idaho would be the first state to implement such a law, a groundbreaking step leading Republican-led states that have been actively protecting unborn life since the end last year of Roe v. Wade.
The bill specifically addresses adults who obtain abortion pills for a minor, as well as those who recruit, harbor, or transport the pregnant minor within Idaho to obtain an abortion. If found guilty, offenders could face two to five years in prison. Idaho is among 13 states that have effectively banned abortion since the power to prohibit or regulate the practice was returned to each state individually.
VICTORY! Idaho Legislature Passes Bill to Stop Trafficking Teens to Other States for Secret Abortions https://t.co/wU88n40q03 pic.twitter.com/WaUJtdF0uO
— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) March 31, 2023
State Rep. Kevin Andrus (R) highlighted the importance of parents’ rights in this bill, stating, “We want to make sure that parents have a say in their children’s life choices. It will do a lot to save lives.” This sentiment is echoed by Kelsey Pritchard, a spokesperson for pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who praised Idaho’s forward-thinking approach, encouraging other states to consider similar proposals.
Last year, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. In response, multiple states passed laws outlawing or restricting abortion access. As a result, some women began traveling to other states for the procedure, and abortion pill access emerged as the new battleground for abortion advocates nationwide.
Supporters of HB 242 argue that protecting the rights of parents and guardians is crucial, ensuring that they are involved in the decision-making process when a minor faces an unplanned pregnancy. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, stated, “Parents have the right to love their daughter and be there for her in her time of need. No one should take that away.”
Pro-life group Stanton Health Care, which assists pregnant women, also fully supports the bill. Linda Thomas, Director of Community Outreach, commented on the aggressive tactics employed by the abortion industry, stressing the importance of remaining diligent in providing protection and life-honoring care to vulnerable individuals.
Right to Life of Idaho supports the bill and has cited at least one verified case where a pregnant minor was taken out of state for an abortion without her parent’s knowledge or consent. This highlights the importance of such legislation in protecting minors from potentially harmful situations.
Idaho’s HB 242 is a pioneering move in the pro-life movement, seeking to ensure that abortions are not performed on minors without their parents’ or guardians’ knowledge and consent. As the bill moves through the legislative process, it has the potential to inspire other states to follow suit and further protect the rights of unborn children, minors and their parents.
