SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act off the House floor. The PRO Act protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to abortion, and guarantees the right to privacy for personal reproductive health decisions. It also prevents interference by anti-choice politicians who seek to enact or defend medically unnecessary barriers to comprehensive reproductive health care. Representative Tina Liebling (DFL - Rochester), voted for the bill, and released the following statement:
“During the last election I heard loud and clear that my constituents want the right to make their own decisions on whether and when to bear a child,” said Rep. Liebling, a co-author of the bill. “I am proud to vote for HF1, which guarantees the right to reproductive privacy. With the help of Minnesota’s professional and ethical medical community, patients can be trusted to make difficult reproductive decisions without politicians looking over their shoulders. I will continue to fight for reproductive freedom, including by moving the companion bill HF 91, which repeals unconstitutional, outdated, and burdensome laws that deny reproductive freedom and autonomy.”
HF 1 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 full House floor debate will be uploaded here.
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