Idaho Governor Makes it Illegal to Help Minors Get Abortions in Other States Without Parental Permission

Idaho Republican Governor Brad Litte has signed the “Abortion Trafficking” Bill into Law. The bill was signed into law on Wednesday and is set to go into effect in 30 days.

NPR’s Sarah McCammon shared:

“NEW: Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a law prohibiting transporting a minor to get an abortion. That comes as abortion rights groups are suing Idaho’s attorney general over an opinion designed to block healthcare providers from referring patients out of state for abortion.”

NEW: Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a law prohibiting transporting a minor to get an abortion. That comes as abortion rights groups are suing Idaho's attorney general over an opinion designed to block healthcare providers from referring patients out of state for abortion.

— Sarah McCammon📻 (@sarahmccammon) April 5, 2023

This move by Governor Little would make Idaho the first state to make it illegal to help a minor get an abortion without parental consent.

This law applies to both transporting a minor and or obtaining abortion pills unbeknownst to the minor’s parents.

Idaho made it illegal to obtain an abortion last year except in cases of rape, incest, or if the life of the mother is threatened.

If someone were convicted under the “abortion trafficking” law they could spend between 2 to 5 years in prison. However, if an abortion was obtained by a minor with parental content it would negate the crime.

Washington’s Democrat Governor Jay Inslee sent Governor Little a letter on Tuesday that urged him to veto the bill. Inslee wrote, “I fear that our residents, in particular the women and girls of Washington, will be in grave danger if they travel to your state and find themselves in need of urgent reproductive health care services.”

Governor Little wrote of his decision that the law “seeks only to prevent unemancipated minor girls from being taken across state lines for an abortion without the knowledge and consent of her parent or guardian.”

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, states moved to solidify where they stand on abortion, and Idaho has made it clear elective abortions are illegal in the state.