Appeals court approves enforcement of Idaho abortion law

BOISE, IDAHO (CBS2) – The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed enforcement of Idaho’s abortion law.

The plaintiffs in the case, which include the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and The Indigenous Idaho Alliance, challenged Idaho’s law, passed in 2023. The plaintiffs argued that the law violated their right to travel within and outside the state and their right to free speech.

On Monday, the Ninth Circuit ruled that the law’s ban on abortion by harboring and transporting minors with the intent to conceal the abortion from the minor’s parents is likely to be considered constitutional and can be enforced pending litigation.

Idaho has a near-total ban on abortion, with the exception of rape and incest.

Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador called the enforcement a victory for the state.

“This is a tremendous victory for Idaho and the defense of the rule of law as written by the people’s representatives,” said Attorney General Labrador.

“Idaho’s laws were specifically created to protect the life of the unborn and the mother. Trafficking a minor child for an abortion without parental consent puts both at great risk, and we will not stop protecting life in Idaho.”