Idaho makes it illegal for adults to assist minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent

On Wednesday, Republican Idaho Governor Brad Little signed into law House Bill 242, which prohibits adults from assisting minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent.

A first-of-its-kind law, Idaho’s “abortion trafficking” ban makes it a felony to help a child travel for an abortion if the child’s parents have not consented. It also prohibits adults from obtaining abortion pills for a minor without parental knowledge and consent.

“An adult who, with the intent to conceal an abortion from the parents or guardian of a pregnant, unemancipated minor, either procures an abortion … or obtains an abortion-inducing drug for the pregnant minor to use for an abortion by recruiting, harboring, or transporting the pregnant minor within this state commits the crime of abortion trafficking,” the law states.

Those found guilty of abortion trafficking face between two and five years in prison, according to the legislation.

The bill, sponsored by Republican Rep. Barbara Ehardt, also allows the parents and guardians of the child to seek statutory damages from medical professionals found guilty of “knowingly or recklessly” attempting to perform an abortion on a minor without parental consent.

Additionally, it permits the attorney general to prosecute an individual who allegedly committed abortion trafficking, even if the county prosecutor chooses not to prosecute.

Little clarified that the new legislation does not prevent adults from traveling interstate to obtain abortions.

The law is set to take effect next month. Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups are anticipated to challenge the law in court.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, accused the bill of “holding people hostage when trying to access essential health services.”

“Young people seeking abortion deserve our compassion and support, not the extreme government overreach this law sanctions. Make no mistake: HB242 will have a chilling effect on those who would help minors access critical abortion care, putting young people in dangerous and isolating situations. We know these extreme attacks will continue and Planned Parenthood will never stop fighting for everyone’s ability to control their own lives, bodies, and futures,” McGill Johnson stated.

Mistie DelliCarpini-Tolman, Idaho state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, attacked Idaho lawmakers for implementing “the strictest anti-abortion laws in the country.”

“Now, they are using an incredibly serious term like trafficking to talk about young people traveling with trusted adults to access a legal procedure in another state. It’s despicable,” DelliCarpini-Tolman said.

She noted that the organization would do “everything in our power to stop it.”

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