Idaho Governor Signs Nation’s First Texas-Style Copycat Abortion Ban into Law

BOISE, ID — Today, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1309 into law, the nation’s first abortion ban modeled after Texas’ S.B. 8, which has decimated access across the state since it took effect in September. This bill, like its model in Texas, was specifically designed to sidestep judicial review and create an end-run around constitutional protections for abortion. It is a blatant violation of Idahoans’ constitutional right to abortion and flies in the face of medicine and science. The bill’s sponsors and supporters have even explicitly stated their desire for Idaho to be the next Texas.

Without judicial relief, Idaho’s law will go into effect in 30 days, at which point it will ban nearly all abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy — before many people know they are pregnant or have time to access abortion care. The law allows certain individuals, even if they have no relationship to the pregnant person, to sue abortion providers who violate the ban. Even abusive family members could bring suit to collect the minimum $20,000 bounty provided for in this legislation. Bill sponsors acknowledged during the House floor debate that there are no limits on family members of rape or incest survivors suing abortion providers.

“Shame on Governor Little. This law is unconstitutional, dangerous, and an assault on the hundreds of thousands of Idahoans of reproductive age,” said Jennifer M. Allen, CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates. “This cruel ban will harm the very people who already face the highest barriers to health care: people with low incomes, people of color, people living in rural areas, and LGBTQ people. There is no excuse or justification for the trauma and harm this law will cause. The people of Idaho deserve better than politicians who put extremist politics ahead of their constituents’ health and safety.” 

“This bill is blatantly unconstitutional, and we are committed to going to every length and exploring all our options to restore Idahoans’ right to abortion,” said Rebecca Gibron, Interim CEO for Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaiʻi, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, which operates Idaho’s only three abortion clinics. “I want to emphasize to everyone in Idaho that our doors remain open. We remain committed to helping our patients access the health care they need, including abortion. If you are in need of care, please reach out to your local Planned Parenthood health center for resources and information on how to access care.” 

“If the governor's signing of this cruel, unconstitutional copycat legislation inspires anything, let it be rage and action," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. "We will not sit idly by as Idahoans’ right to abortion is stripped from them. We've said it before and we'll say it again: Planned Parenthood’s doors remain open in Idaho, and we will continue fighting for patients and our communities." 

Over the last month, opponents sent over 13,000 messages and made 3,100 calls urging Idaho lawmakers to oppose S.B. 1309. Over the weekend, hundreds rallied outside the Idaho State Capitol calling on Gov. Little to veto the bill. Idaho’s extremist legislature and governor repeatedly ignored their constituents’ pleas to stop the bill, instead pushing forward the country’s worst attack on abortion since Texas’s own vigilante-style ban last year. 

 

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy, and limited electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, Serving AK, HI, ID, IN, KY, WA (PPAA) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization educating residents and policymakers about reproductive health issues in Alaska, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky and Washington. PPAA lobbies and educates to advance Planned Parenthood's mission, and engages in limited electoral activities.