After a tense and emotional hearing lasting for nearly two hours, the House State Affairs Committee has voted along party lines in favor of SB 1243, Senate-passed legislation to require that women be provided information about reversing a medication-induced abortion part-way through. “That moment of clarity may come … after the first pill in the two-step process is taken,” Rep. Gayann DeMordaunt, R-Eagle, told the committee. “It’s sympathy and understanding on our part. … Giving women access to that is critical in their moment of clarity and decision making.”

Rep. Elaine Smith, D-Pocatello, noted that similar legislation has drawn court challenges in other states. “I don’t want to see Idaho involved in a lawsuit which can be costly,” she said. But she and acting Rep. George Tway, who is filling in for the ailing Rep. Hy Kloc, D-Boise, cast the only “no” votes on the bill, which now moves to the full House.