Idaho lawmakers approve anti-abortion measure

BOISE – The Idaho House on Thursday approved an anti-abortion measure aimed at prohibiting clinics from donating fetal tissue – even though no such practice exists in the state.

Four Democratic lawmakers boycotted the measure both in Thursday morning’s legislative committee hearing and the discussion on the House floor, calling the legislation a waste of time and taxpayers’ dollars.

The measure, called the Unborn Infants Dignity Act, would also ban research centers and universities from using tissue for research.

It now needs the approval of Gov. C. L. “Butch” Otter to become law.

Minority Leader Rep. John Rusche, D-Lewiston, said the bill would prohibit women from terminating pregnancies when the fetus is diagnosed with a fatal illness. Further, it would prohibit parents’ ability to donate the organs of the fetus.

The bill is a response to undercover videos released last summer that alleged Planned Parenthood officials were selling fetal tissue for profit. It was later determined the videos were altered. A grand jury in Texas recently cleared the Planned Parenthood officials and instead indicted two anti-abortion advocates involved in making the videos.

Rep. Brent Crane, R- Nampa, continually attempted to discuss the undercover videos, but he was cut short by Rusche and then later House Speaker Scott Bedke.

“Let Idaho realign its moral compass to point to true north,” Crane said.