BOISE, Idaho - Idaho on Wednesday became the first state to enact a law modeled after a Texas statute banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy and allowing it to be enforced through civil lawsuits to avoid constitutional court challenges.Republican Gov.
Brad Little signed into law the measure that allows people who would have been family members to sue a doctor who performs an abortion after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo."I stand in solidarity with all Idahoans who seek to protect the lives of preborn babies," Little wrote in a letter to Lt.
Gov. Janice McGeachin, who is also president of the Senate.The law in the conservative state is scheduled to take effect 30 days after the signing.
But court challenges are expected.Backers have said it is Idaho’s best opportunity to severely restrict abortions in the state after years of trying.