Photo: Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
For: The opinion Posted Jan 31, 2023, 5:18 pm EST
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed legislation codifying a “fundamental right” to access abortion and reproductive care in the state, solidifying abortion protections into the law despite objections from Republican lawmakers.
The Reproductive Options Protection Act, or PRO Act, narrowly passed in the Minnesota Senate. Lawmakers debated the law for more than 14 hours, while Republicans tried to add amendments that were ultimately defeated. The House approved the bill earlier this month.
Today, I signed the PRO Act into law.
Your reproductive freedom will stay protected in Minnesota.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) January 31, 2023
Walz and other Democrats had said the legislation was a top priority this legislative session. While the right to abortion is already protected in Minnesota due to a 1995 Supreme Court decision, Democrats framed the PRO Act as a second line of defense.
“The message we are sending to Minnesota is very clear: your rights are protected in this state.Walz said at Tuesday’s signing.
“Today we are making good on our promise to put up a firewall against efforts to roll back reproductive freedom. No matter who sits on the Minnesota Supreme Court, this legislation will ensure that Minnesotans have access to reproductive health care for generations to come.”
The bill codifies protections for reproductive health care, including contraception, sterilization, preconception carematernity care, abortion care, family planning and fertility services, and reproductive health care counseling.
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