An abortion trafficking bill
Idaho Governor Brad Little, a Republican, signed House Bill 242 on Wednesday. The first-of-its-kind bill will make helping a minor travel to another state for an abortion without parental consent a felony in Idaho next month. That is if the legislation survives a court challenge, which is expected.
The bill also prohibits helping a minor obtain an abortion drug, without consulting one of her parents or guardians. The “abortion trafficking” crime is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Little sent a letter to Idaho lawmakers announcing he signed the bill. He explained the legislation only addresses minor girls. “With the U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe vs. Wade last summer, the right and duty to establish legal policy on abortion was finally returned to our state democratic process.”
House Bill 242 describes a new crime, that of abortion trafficking. This is when an adult helps a pregnant, unemancipated minor obtain an abortion or abortion pills “by recruiting, harboring or transporting” them without the consent of their parent or guardian. If found guilty of this crime, a person will face two to five years in prison. They can also be sued by the minor’s parent or guardian. The exception to that is a parent or guardian who rapes their child. That person isn’t allowed to sue.
The defendant has the opportunity to present evidence in court that could negate liability if “a parent or guardian of the pregnant minor consented to trafficking of the minor,” unless the abortion provider is located in another state.
