Press Release: ACLU Files Meritless Legal Challenge to Idaho “No Public Funds For Abortion Act”

By Press Release • August 8, 2023

The following press release was sent out by Idaho Family Policy Center. Press releases do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

August 8, 2023 – BOISE, IDAHO – Earlier today, unions representing higher education faculty at the University of Idaho, Boise State University, and Idaho State University filed a federal legal challenge in hopes of blocking enforcement of the “No Public Funds for Abortion Act,” which has been in full force and effect since May 2021.

The faculty members are represented by ACLU attorneys. Their lawsuit challenges a provision of the “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” that prohibits public colleges and universities from promoting or counseling in favor of abortion.

The “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” was drafted and championed by Idaho Family Policy Center (a pro-family ministry), Alliance Defending Freedom, and legislative sponsors Rep. Bruce Skaug (R-Nampa) and former Sen. Christy Zito (R-Hammett). It received overwhelming supermajority support in both legislative chambers.

Before the “No Public Funds For Abortion Act” became law, some public colleges and universities distributed abortifacients through student health centers and provided referrals for students seeking chemical or surgical abortions.

A statement from Blaine Conzatti, President of Idaho Family Policy Center:

“With this baseless legal challenge, the ACLU hopes to overturn our law safeguarding taxpayer dollars from being used to promote unlawful abortion services at public colleges and universities.

“Their meritless lawsuit won’t be successful. The First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution do not provide carte blanche legal protections for higher education faculty to advocate or engage in criminal behavior on the taxpayer’s dime.

“The ‘No Public Funds For Abortion Act’ simply does not infringe on academic speech protected by the First Amendment, including classroom discussion on topics related to abortion.”

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