The codifying of a women’s right to choose in Minnesota is one step closer to becoming law.
The Minnesota House passed the Protect Reproductive Options Act after four hours of debate Thursday night. It passed with a vote of 69-65. Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr. of Winona was the only Democrat to vote against it. All Republicans voted against it.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for prioritizing this bill and working hard to protect Minnesotans’ reproductive freedoms,” chief author Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn said. “Tonight, we have done exactly what our neighbors elected us to do. Minnesotans want and deserve bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom, and I’m proud that we delivered for them.”
The bill enshrines protections for all reproductive health care, including but not limited to contraception, sterilization, preconception care, maternity care, abortion care, family planning and fertility services, and counseling regarding reproductive health care. The bill now awaits action from the Senate.
The House spent all of Thursday afternoon debating the bill. A slew of Republican amendments – including limiting abortions after a certain point in pregnancy and to requiring that the procedure be done in a hospital – all failed.
The bill does not include any restrictions on the stage of pregnancy when abortion can be performed.
“We now have zero guardrails,” said Rep. Natalie Zeleznikar R-Hermantown. “Minnesotans are reasonable. I know that in my heart. I’ll leave here today knowing I did my best.”
Democrats called the legislation necessary and a fulfillment of the campaign promise that helped the DFL secure a trifecta in the legislature.
“Minnesotans should have the freedom to make their own health care decisions. And in the last election, Minnesotans spoke clearly — they value reproductive freedom, and they oppose efforts to infringe upon this freedom,” said Speaker Melissa Hortman. “Abortion is health care. DFLers stand with Minnesotans, and we will protect their right to reproductive freedom.”
Minority Leader Lisa Demuth called the bill “extreme.”
“This isn’t about codifying abortion rights anymore—this puts the health of women and children at risk. This is extreme, horrific, and out of line with what the majority of Minnesotans want.”
