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Idaho sterilization law passed.

1918

The Story of Disability Justice
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The Idaho Legislature passes what is called "An Act to prevent the procreation of feeble-minded, insane, epileptic, moral de-generates and sexual perverts, who may be inmates of institutions maintained by public expense, by authorizing and providing for the sterilization of persons with inferior hereditary potentialities."

The aim of the bill is the compulsory sterilization of various persons considered to be mentally and physically unfit, but this is limited to persons living in state institutions. It will be vetoed by the governor the following year, who will cite the law's unequal application in violation of the 14th Amendment and also the "suspect" scientific premises forming the law's basis.