It’s the third lawsuit stemming from Senate Bill 458 alone since Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed it into law in May. Gianforte this year signed legislation to ban drag events in public spaces and gender-affirming care for trans youth. None have escaped legal challenges so far.

Our AG should protect all Montanans’ safety. Instead of emboldening harassment and intimidation tactics, AG Knudsen should ensure that we live up to our values of privacy, freedom and compassion.

Safety Zones are essential and should be strengthened, not dissolved.

But Quinn Leighton, director of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of Montana, said Knudsen’s letter raises concerns that Montana providers could be open to prosecution if they care for patients who can’t legally get the procedures performed in their home states.

Here in Montana with the 2023 legislative session having ended in early May, we saw attacks on the right to abortion and bodily autonomy, with record numbers of bills having been brought forward by legislators. However, Montanans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the right to abortion remains legal and safe.

A state District Court judge on Tuesday put the brakes on several new abortion restrictions in Montana, including laws to tighten requirements for medically necessary abortions covered by Medicaid, require ultrasounds and ban the most commonly used procedure to terminate pregnancies in the second trimester.

“The state’s argument is detached from the overwhelming evidence presented to the district court that abortion care is one of the safest forms of medical care in this country and the world, and that APRNs are qualified providers,” the order reads. “ ... There is no medically recognized bona fide health risk for APRNs to perform abortion care, much less one that is clearly and convincingly demonstrated.”

“I think it's clear that the intent is to distort what is otherwise a safe and effective procedure that is the standard of care for women seeking abortions,” said Democratic Sen. Jen Gross, of Billings, on Thursday in the Senate. “This bill takes aim at the quality of life of Montana women and by proxy their families, their employers, our communities.”

“This bill concedes that parental consent is no longer needed in Montana, instead requiring consultation of a parent or guardian. That means that this Legislature is agreeing that parents have no say in consenting to their minors' abortions. Is that really the Legislature's intent?” asked Quinn Leighton, the director of external affairs for Planned Parenthood of Montana.