Idaho Pro-Life Legislation Providing Accurate Abortion Information Dies

State   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Mar 19, 2004   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Idaho Pro-Life Legislation Providing Accurate Abortion Information Dies

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 19, 2004

Boise, ID (LifeNews.com) — Thanks in part to a split among pro-life groups in Idaho, pro-life legislation that would have made sure women are given accurate information about abortion’s risks and alternatives prior to having an abortion is now dead.

The legislation came as a response to the state Health Department’s lack of enforcement of an old informed consent law that some pro-life groups say isn’t much good anyway. The law contains a provision that allows abortion practitioners to determine when they think a woman considering abortion is entitled to the information.

Pro-life groups put forward a new proposal, but the state House Health and Welfare Committee killed it on Thursday afternoon despite the Idaho Senate approving it on a 20-15 vote.

Committee Chairman Bill Sali opposed the legislation and he, along with Republican Reps. Henry Kulczyk and Peter Nielsen, joined the three Democrats on the panel to kill the bill.

According to the Idaho Statesman, Reps. Janice McGeachin of Idaho Falls, Kathie Garrett of Boise, Sharon Block of Twin Falls, and Bob Ring of Caldwell joined Charles Eberle of Post Falls in voting to send the bill to the House floor.

Catholic Charities of Idaho, Right to Life of Idaho and the Cornerstone Institute all support the legislation, but Idaho Chooses Life, another statewide pro-life group, opposes it. ICL unsuccessfully sued the state in order to get it to enforce the old law.

Pro-abortion groups such as Planned Parenthood and the Idaho affiliate of the ACLU also opposed the pro-life legislation.

Governor Dirk Kempthorne and Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden both supported the legislation.

Similar laws in other states have proven effective in reducing the number of abortions and helping women make better choices.

Related web sites:
Idaho State Legislature – https://www2.state.id.us/legislat/legislat.html