Minnesota codifies abortion into state law

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed the Protect Reproductive Options Act on Tuesday, which says every individual has a “right to make autonomous decisions” about “reproductive healthcare.” It is unclear exactly how the new law will affect abortion in the state. The Minnesota Supreme Court’s 1995 ruling in Doe v. Gomez created a right to get an abortion in the state, while Minnesota’s current law protects babies after 23 weeks, except to save the life or health of the mother. Exceptions to the current law have sometimes been allowed. The new bill, according to bill sponsor Sen. Jennifer McEwen, was meant to enshrine the “right” to abortion into the state law. 

What have critics said? Critics of the new law, including the pro-life group Live Action and Sen. Julia Coleman (R-Minn.), say the bill allows abortion up to birth with no restrictions. The Minnesota Senate is set to consider several bills that could take away more protections from the unborn, a Senate Republican Caucus representative told WORLD. Those bills include removing the requirement for minors to have parental permission to get an abortion. 

Dig deeper: Read Daniel R. Suhr’s column in World Opinions on the abortion debate in state courts.