FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2022
BOISE, IDAHO – Idaho Family Policy Center, a pro-family Christian ministry, celebrates the passage of legislation to modify our existing Heartbeat Law in the Idaho State Senate today. It is sponsored by Senator Patti Anne Lodge (R-Huston) and Representative Steven Harris (R-Meridian).
The legislation (Senate Bill 1309) would make a simple change to the existing Idaho Heartbeat Law by creating a private enforcement mechanism that allows family members of unlawfully aborted pre-born babies to sue the abortionist who committed the crime. The changes to the law would go into effect thirty days following signature by Gov. Brad Little.
A sharp decline in the Texas abortion rate has been observed after a similar law in that state became effective and successfully withstood three challenges at the United States Supreme Court. For nearly seven months, Texas abortionists have voluntarily complied with the law and are no longer offering abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Supporters and opponents of the Idaho legislation both expect a similar outcome here if it becomes law.
Doctors can easily find a fetal heartbeat as early as six weeks of gestational age through commonly available medical technologies like ultrasonography. Importantly, obstetricians consider fetal heart activity to be an important milestone in prenatal development and routinely run tests to determine heartrate as an important indicator of a pre-born child’s health. Medical literature reveals that 95 percent of preborn children with a fetal heartbeat detected early in the pregnancy will survive to term.
A statement from Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center:
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For questions or to schedule an interview with Blaine Conzatti, please contact (208) 260-5844 or [email protected].
