Wow! The 2020 Idaho Legislative Session has officially concluded—and what a successful session it was!

The laws passed this year should provide families with hope for the future of Idaho. Family Policy Alliance of Idaho has been on the front lines to make sure Idaho will continue to be a place where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.

Here are the victories we achieved this year:

1. Simon’s Law (HB578): Signed by Gov. Little

Until now, Idaho doctors were legally allowed to withdraw life-sustaining care from a child without consulting the parents. Simon’s Law closes this loophole, making sure parents are notified and have the right to transfer medical care of their child to another provider.

Sponsors: Rep. John Vander Woude (R-Nampa) and Sen. Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian)

2. Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (HB500): Signed by Governor Little

This first-in-the-nation law will help save girls’ sports and preserve athletic opportunities for our daughters. As more biological men start competing in women’s sports, female athletes are being displaced and losing out on the victories they’ve worked hard to achieve. The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act limits participation in girls’ high school and college sports to biological girls, making clear that women’s sports are for women only.

Read my article explaining more about this groundbreaking law at The Resurgent.

Sponsors: Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) and Sen. Mary Souza (R-Coeur d’Alene)

3. Idaho Vital Statistics Act (HB509): Signed by Governor Little

The Idaho Vital Statistics Act restores factual accuracy to state records by preventing people from changing the “sex” marker on their birth certificates.

Without accurate birth certificates, law enforcement officials have a harder time identifying suspects and victims, and public health officials can’t compile accurate statistics. Furthermore, just imagine the mess that occurs in the criminal justice system and in women’s domestic violence shelters when it becomes impossible to quickly and conclusively determine a person’s biological sex.

Sponsors: Rep. Julianne Young (R-Blackfoot) and Senator Steve Vick (R-Dalton Gardens)

4. “Choose Life” License Plate (SB1249): Signed by Governor Little

This law creates a new “Choose Life” specialty license plate that will be available at Idaho DMVs starting January 2021. Proceeds from the sale of these license plates will be distributed to pro-life pregnancy resource centers offering compassionate care and support to women facing unexpected pregnancies.

Sponsors: Sen. Regina Bayer (R-Meridian) and Rep. Brent Crane (R-Nampa)

5. Abortifacient Mandate (SB1275): Defeated in Senate

Sometimes victory is found not only the good bills you pass, but in the bad bills that you defeat. This legislation, which was written and supported by Planned Parenthood, would have required that insurance companies cover a six-month supply of contraception—including abortifacients like “Plan B” and “Ella.” These abortifacient drugs end a pregnancy after conception by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting and receiving the nutrition it needs to survive.

Sponsor: Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb (D-Boise)

I am so grateful for YOUR support that enabled these successes. You have been a shining example of what we at Family Policy Alliance of Idaho call “biblical citizenship.” Hundreds of you sent emails and made phone calls to your legislators and the governor, and many more prayed for our efforts and supported us financially. We couldn’t have done it without YOU!