Senate approves new parental consent bill

BOISE – A day after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a lower court’s ruling that struck down Idaho’s parental consent abortion law, the Idaho Senate approved a bill that critics argued would reinstate the same disputed provisions.

“Why don’t we have a bill in front of us that’s passed the constitutional muster?” asked Minority Leader Sen. Clint Stennett, D-Ketchum.

The bill requires girls younger than 18 obtain permission from a parent – or in some cases a judge – before she gets an abortion, unless if a doctor determines a medical emergency.

After an impassioned, 30-minute debate, the Senate voted 23-12 to pass the bill. Republican Sens. Shawn Keough of Sandpoint, Joyce Broadsword of Sagle and Gary Schroeder of Moscow were the only North Idaho lawmakers who voted against the measure.

Opponents argued that the intent of the law is good, but that there are some cases where young women can’t go to their parents for consent, and that the bill didn’t adequately allow for those cases, such as parental abuse.

HB 351 had passed the House, and now goes to the governor.