Idaho AG Settles Lawsuit, Bars Prosecution of Doctors for Out-of-State Abortion Referrals

A federal judge has permanently barred Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador and local prosecutors from prosecuting healthcare providers who refer patients out of state for abortions, following a settlement with Planned Parenthood and two Idaho doctors. The legal dispute arose after Labrador issued an opinion stating that such referrals could violate Idaho's strict abortion ban and result in criminal penalties, including license suspensions. The consent decree, signed by Judge B. Lynn Winmill, protects providers' First Amendment rights and affirms that referrals for out-of-state abortion services cannot be prosecuted under Idaho law. Labrador emphasized that Idaho’s pro-life laws remain fully in effect but acknowledged the office lacks authority to prosecute referrals for services outside the state. The settlement also requires Idaho’s Attorney General’s office to pay $400,000 in legal fees, and Planned Parenthood hailed the ruling as essential for ensuring patients receive honest care from trusted providers. The case highlights the tension between state abortion restrictions and constitutional protections for free speech and interstate medical referrals.