RELEASE: Minn. House Passes PRO Act, Protecting Minnesotans’ Reproductive Rights

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, lawmakers in the Minnesota House of Representatives voted to pass HF 1, the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act. This bill protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to abortion, and ensures the right to privacy for personal reproductive health decisions. It also prevents interference by politicians who seek to enact or defend medically unnecessary barriers to comprehensive reproductive health care. 

“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.” 

“I am grateful to my colleagues for prioritizing this bill and working hard to protect Minnesotans’ reproductive freedoms,” said chief author Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn. “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.” 

“Minnesotans have spoken loud and clear that they value reproductive rights,” said House Majority Leader Jamie Long. “States across the country, whenever the voters got to decide and not the politicians, have said they want reproductive rights. Today, Minnesota will take the important step of saying that no court should be able to take away fundamental liberties. And no politician should come between a patient and their doctor.” 

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.