ST. PAUL—On Monday, April 24, 2017, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation on a vote of 79-53 that will require the Minnesota Department of Health to license and inspect facilities that perform ten or more abortions per month. House File 812, authored by Rep. Deb Kiel, R-Crookston, also requires facilities to meet guidelines and safety standards put forth by the National Abortion Federation, Planned Parenthood, or another national organization that has established evidence-based clinical standards for abortion care.
“Women who enter these facilities rightly expect that they are safe, sanitary and licensed,” said Rep. Deb Kiel. “This is a commonsense change that ensures Minnesota facilities meet and continue to meet their own industry’s standards, protecting women who choose to terminate their pregnancy.”
Minnesota’s five facilities are all currently believed to be meeting the industry clinical standards, and this legislation would ensure they continue to do so going forward.