BOISE, Idaho — An attorney for Planned Parenthood on Thursday argued that the Idaho Constitution grants citizens the right to privacy, which should include the right to end a pregnancy.
The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments in three cases challenging Idaho’s abortion restrictions. Planned Parenthood, on behalf of itself and Idaho Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, asked the court to strike down Idaho laws that ban abortion, criminalize abortion after a “fetal heartbeat” is detected and allow certain family members of a fetus to sue an abortion provider.
Justices on Thursday questioned whether the framers of the state constitution intended for privacy rights to include abortion — the state historically has prohibited the procedure — and whether a fundamental right is precluded from regulation by the state.
