Judge to consider suspending Idaho’s abortion reporting law

NAMPA, Idaho (AP) — Lawyers are asking a U.S. judge to issue a preliminary injunction blocking a new Idaho law requiring doctors to report extensive personal information to the state about women who have had abortions.

The Idaho Press reports the law, which took effect July 1, requires health care providers to disclose information about patients who had one of several “complications” listed in the law.

The information includes a patient’s age, race, number of previous pregnancies, live births and previous abortions.

Providers can face heavy penalties if they do not comply.

Lawyers for three groups argued on Monday that the statute is unconstitutional and overly vague.

The Idaho attorney general’s office declined to comment on the case.

A preliminary injunction means the law could not be enforced while the matter is being discussed in court. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.

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Information from: Idaho Press, http://www.idahopress.com