Idaho bans 'abortion trafficking'

"This legislation is despicable, and we’re going to do everything in our power to stop it," Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates wrote.

By Ben Whedon

Published: April 5, 2023 10:23pm

Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little signed legislation on Wednesday to ban so-called "abortion trafficking" in which an adult aids a minor in obtaining an abortion out of state without parental consent.

The law imposes a possible five-year prison sentence for anyone found guilty, The Hill reported. Abortion is legal is several neighboring states, including Washington, Oregon, Montana, and California.

Idaho currently bans nearly all abortions and has an enforcement mechanism wherein family members may sue doctors who perform such procedures.

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates condemned the governor's signing of the law, saying "[y]et again, Idaho’s governor disregarded constituents and signed HB 242 into law, creating the nation’s first crime of so-called 'abortion trafficking.'"

"This legislation is despicable, and we’re going to do everything in our power to stop it," the group announced, per the outlet.

Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union are already suing over the attorney general's interpretation of state law as barring abortion referrals to out-of-state doctors.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.