According to multiple outlets, the University of Idaho sent a warning to employees Friday that promotion of abortion or contraceptives while on the job could be a felony, and that the university will no longer make birth control available.
Employees at the University of Idaho were warned not to promote or perform abortions.
The school is committed to operating within the confines of laws, according to the Office of General Counsel.
Employees are not allowed to promote abortion, perform an abortion, counsel in favor of abortion, refer patients for abortions, provide facilities for abortions, or contract with abortion providers according to the guidance published by the radio station.
Up to five years of prison time, being forced to repay state funds, and being barred from future state employment are possible punishments for violating the law.
The No Public Funds for Abortion Act, which was enacted in May 2021, prohibits state funds from being used to promote or perform abortions, and includes provisions stating no public school tuition fees can be used to pay for abortions or counsel in favor of them.
The guidance said that the school wouldn't provide standard birth control due to uncertainty around the parameters of a separate state law that prohibits anyone from advertising or providing notice of any medicine or means for producing or facilitating a miscarriage or abortion.
The University of Idaho has yet to respond.
How these laws will be enforced remains unclear, according to the guidance. Potential risks and penalties associated with conduct that may be perceived to violate the laws should be known by the university and employees.
"The University of Idaho's new policy is just the latest example of extremists and laws threatening to strip us of all control over their reproductive health care."
The abortion ban in the state that took effect in August is not related to the laws cited by the university. Part of the law was restricted by the Biden administration because it required abortions to be done in medical emergencies that aren't life threatening.
As a result of the Supreme Court's decision, abortion restrictions have tightened across the country. In addition to Idaho, North Dakota has enacted a law that prevents state universities from using funds to promote or perform abortions, in addition to schools being affected by state abortion bans that outlaw the procedure and the use of medication abortion. Access to birth control and emergency contraceptives like Plan B will be affected by how anti- abortion bills are worded, according to fears. A NBC News/Generation Lab poll released in August found 30% of incoming second-year college students would consider changing schools if the state where they wanted to attend had an abortion ban.
The bill to defund abortion providers was signed by the governor.
The judge is siding with the Biden administration on the abortion ban.
Here's how it could threaten birth control access.
College shopping students are wondering if abortion is legal there. The Washington Post has an article about it.
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