The Idaho House Committee on Health & Welfare voted this afternoon to introduce legislation that would make coercion a crime when someone tries forcing a woman or girl to undergo an abortion. The bill was presented by Rep. Bob Nonini of Coeur d’Alene.

Legislators approved a motion by Rep. Pete Nielsen and Rep. Jim Marriott to formally consider the bill. The motion passed without voiced opposition – but two Democrats on the panel questioned Rep. Nonini fairly closely.

Rep. John Rusche (D-Lewiston) wanted to know why the bill did not protect women from being coerced into giving birth. Nonini explained that there existed a mountain of protection for the abortion option, including the federal FACE Act – but there was not similar defense of a woman’s right to choose life.

Rusche also wanted to know if this was much of a problem in Idaho. Nonini said that testimony would be presented at the full hearing indicating that more than half of all abortions apparently involve some form of coercion.

Rep. Margaret Henbest (D-Boise) asked questions related to language in the bill which makes it a crime to use force or threats of force to coerce a woman into abortion.

We could have a hearing on this ground-breaking legislation as early as Friday.