Friday afternoon, an email was sent out to all University of Idaho employees from the Office of the General Counsel, titled “Guidance on Abortion Laws,” advising employees on conduct given the new abortion laws being passed through the Idaho Supreme Court.
The email details that while performing their jobs for the university, employees are not allowed to take any action, or use university funds and facilities to promote or provide abortion services. The email goes on to provide examples such as advising in favor of an abortion, referring for an abortion, or promoting services for abortion or the prevention of conception. This would stop university faculty from discussing abortion in their classes.
The university’s decision is based partially on Idaho Code Title 18-603, a 1972 law preventing non-healthcare professionals from providing access to abortion or contraceptive services.
This statute is what many describe as a “zombie law,” which, despite being struck down by a court ruling, in this case Roe V. Wade, was never removed from state code. As such, upon the overturning of Roe V Wade, the statute came back into effect.
The memo from UI General Counsel was leaked over the weekend and has received national attention. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre released a statement regarding the memo, calling it “extreme and backward.”
Jodi Walker, in a written statement to the Idaho Capital Sun, stated that the university aims to follow all laws and that the memo was intended to assist employees in understanding the new law.
Abigail Spencer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ABairdSpencer