BOISE, Idaho — State lawmakers on Monday shot down legislation modeled after a recent Texas law that allowed people to sue abortion providers for procedures after a fetal heartbeat was detected.
The Idaho proposal would’ve allowed only family members to sue abortion providers for damages if they perform an abortion after five or six weeks of pregnancy — when a fetal heartbeat typically can be detected. A motion to introduce the bill in a legislative committee failed on a tie vote.
Sen. Abby Lee, a Fruitland Republican, said she supports legislation to oppose abortions but believes this proposal would have contradicted laws related to child welfare, custody and probate.
