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Committee sends bill to floor to speed dismissal of civil suits tied to Idaho heartbeat law
Summary
The House State Affairs Committee voted to send Senate Bill 11-71 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. Sponsors said the bill adds an anti‑SLAPP‑style procedure and attorney-fee protections so physicians—particularly OBs—can get frivolous civil suits dismissed quickly under Idaho's heartbeat statute (Title 18, Chapter 88).
The House State Affairs Committee voted to send Senate Bill 11-71 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation, endorsing language to let judges quickly dismiss certain civil suits brought under Idaho’s heartbeat law and to allow prevailing defendants to recover attorney fees.
Supporters said the change is aimed at easing a civil-litigation burden on obstetricians and other physicians who treat life‑threatening pregnancy complications such as ectopic pregnancies.
Representative Bruce Skog, who presented the measure, said the bill responds to concerns from OB physicians who told sponsors they were being given incorrect legal…
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