'First in US' Idaho Bans Abortion for Minors from Other States Too

Minors' 'Abortion Trafficking' Maximum 5 Years Imprisonment
First Case Since Roe v. Wade Overturned

A bill prohibiting minors from traveling to other states to obtain abortions has been introduced for the first time in Idaho, USA.

On the 6th (local time), the Associated Press (AP) and The Washington Post (WP) reported that Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a bill the previous day that bans adults from assisting minors in obtaining abortions without parental consent.

This law prohibits minors from being helped to obtain abortion pills or surgeries not only within Idaho but also in other states where abortion is permitted. Such acts are defined as ‘abortion trafficking’ and violators can face up to five years in prison.

In January, protesters were chanting in support of abortion rights on the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In June last year, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the 49-year-old ‘Roe vs Wade’ ruling, which recognized abortion as a constitutional right for women, allowing each state to decide whether to maintain abortion rights. Idaho’s law is the first case to restrict ‘abortion travel’ to other states since then.

Idaho has already enforced one of the strictest abortion laws in the United States. Exceptions are made only for pregnancies that are life-threatening to the mother or result from rape or incest, and even in these cases, doctors must provide evidence that the abortion was essential.

Additionally, in cases of rape or incest, women must submit a police report to the doctor. Because of this, women in Idaho have traveled to states such as Washington, Oregon, and Nevada to undergo abortion procedures.

Civil rights groups advocating for abortion rights are strongly opposing the law. Mini Timaraju, chair of Pro-Choice America, stated, “We have a responsibility to keep teenagers safe,” and argued, “This law only puts them in danger.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.