Idaho Supreme Court upholds abortion law after Planned Parenthood challenge
The Idaho abortion law is also the target of a DOJ lawsuit
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Idaho Supreme Court on Thursday issued a decision upholding the state's near-total abortion ban after it was challenged by Planned Parenthood.
In a 3-2 decision, Chief Justice G Richard Bevan, Justice Gregory Moeller and Justice Robyn Brody decided to dismiss the lawsuit brought by Planned Parenthood against the State of Idaho. The lawsuit sought to prevent the state's abortion law from taking effect following the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
The law, which was passed in 2020, bans all abortions in Idaho with the exception of rape or incest cases that are reported to law enforcement.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After Roe v. Wade was overturned, the law was allowed to take effect.
IDAHO SUPREME COURT: ABORTION BANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE EFFECT AMID CHALLENGES
A sign reading "My body, my choice" hangs on a pole in front of the Idaho State Capitol Building in Boise, Idaho, on May 3, 2022. (Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman via AP, File)
A physician can also perform an abortion if "in his good faith medical judgment and based on the facts known to the physician at the time, that the abortion was necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In the case opinion released Thursday, Brody sad that the Idaho constitution doesn't have a right to abortion.
IDAHO'S NEAR-TOTAL ABORTION BAN CHALLENGED BY JUSTICE DEPARTMENT
A group of teenagers protests the Supreme Court's decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health case on the main street in Driggs, Idaho, on July 2, 2022. (Natalie Behring/Getty Images)
"The Idaho Constitution does not contain an explicit right to abortion. Nevertheless, Petitioners argue that certain provisions implicitly enshrine abortion as a right entitled to heightened protection from the legislature’s broad power to regulate conduct," the option states.
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Rebeca Castro of Fruitland, Idaho, sings and dances to a Christian praise song during an anti-abortion celebration for the overturn of Roe v. Wade held outside the Idaho Statehouse in Boise, Idaho, on June 28, 2022. (Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman via AP, File)
"Since Idaho attained statehood in 1890, this Court has repeatedly and steadfastly interpreted the Idaho Constitution based on the plain and ordinary meaning of its text, as intended by those who framed and adopted the provision at issue. That is our duty as the judicial branch: to sustain the rule of law — not to promote our personal policy preferences," Brody added.
The Justice Department is suing Idaho over the law in federal court.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Fox News' Paul Best and Julia Musto contributed to this report.