The decision came Friday despite a barrage of legal challenges to the law, Fox News reported Saturday. However, the court agreed to expedite the various lawsuits. Two judges agreed to speed up the timeline for hearing various legal challenges, but wanted to point out that they believe the laws should not be enforced until the legal process is complete. A doctor and a local Planned Parenthood sued Idaho over three abortion-restricting laws, and the Justice Department is also taking Idaho to federal court over its near-total abortion ban. The state Supreme Court ruling means potential relatives of an embryo or fetus can now sue abortion providers for procedures performed after six weeks of pregnancy, and another tougher ban criminalizing all abortions could come into effect later this month . Potential relatives can sue for up to $20,000 within four years of the abortion. Rapists cannot sue under the law, but family members of a rapist will be able to, Fox reported. Two judges agreed to speed up the timeline for hearing various legal challenges. Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman via AP On August 25, as a result of the state Supreme Court’s ruling, a near-total ban on all abortions will go into effect. However, doctors will still be able to defend themselves at trial by arguing that the abortion was performed to save the mother’s life. Planned Parenthood has also sued for a third ban that would criminalize abortions performed after six weeks of pregnancy, except when needed to save a mother’s life or because of rape or incest. This law was written to take effect on August 19. Protesters gather on the steps of the Idaho State Capitol on June 24, 2022 after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP The Supreme Court said both plaintiffs had failed to show that enforcement of the laws would cause “irreparable harm” and that there was insufficient evidence to show they had a “clear right” to legal remedies. This decision comes as other states face similar challenges after the US Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade.
