Legislative Update - Counting Down to the 2024 Legislative Session

Dear Neighbors, 

We’re counting down the days to the 2024 legislative session, which begins on February 12. As my colleagues and I prepare to return to our official work, a few of us took a moment to meet up and reflect on the importance of serving in the most diverse Minnesota legislature in state history, not only for people of color, but for women as well. 

Being able to serve Minnesota in the capacity of a State Representative is rewarding and humbling. I am thankful for all the women who came before me who paved the way, and I left our gathering inspired and uplifted. Thank you former Senator Saltzman for hosting.

This year, I’m looking forward to building on our work to make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family - for ALL Minnesotans. 

Here’s the latest on what I’ve been up to:

Health Committee Hearing on End of Life Options

Last week, the House Health Finance and Policy Committee, on which I serve, held a public hearing on the End-of-Life Options Act. The bill is modeled after an Oregon law which allows legal adults who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and determined to be of sound mind to be prescribed life-ending medication, usually to be taken at home.

This was a very informative hearing on an extremely sensitive issue, and I thank everyone that took the time to offer their testimony on the legislation.

This bill has numerous guardrails to ensure a narrow scope of eligibility. People should have the right to make decisions for their own body, and I’ll be following this legislation closely this session. 

You can read more about this committee hearing here. 

Protecting Reproductive Rights

Last Monday marked 51 years of Roe v. Wade. This decision changed reproductive freedoms in the US for millions of people. While legislatures across the country attack the right to an abortion and reproductive healthcare, in Minnesota we have not wavered from this truth: The ability to decide if, when, and how to become a parent is a fundamental human right.

That’s why we not only passed the PRO Act, legislation I co-authored to enshrine our right to reproductive health care, but also the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, another bill I co-authored that protects those seeking care in Minnesota from the laws in other states.

At the Minnesota Legislature, the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, which I Co-Chair in the House, marked this anniversary by hosting a listening session with our partners to hear how legislation to protect bodily autonomy passed in 2023 impacted their work. We also learned where there are still gaps and possible solutions to close these gaps. Thank you to all of our legislative members who attended, and to my Senate Co-Chair Senator Lindsey Port for being the best partner I could have in this work.

Here’s to another productive year in Minnesota for protecting reproductive rights!

Investing in Community Equity

Thank you to Amherst H. Wilder Foundation for investing in the Community Equity Program (CEP). Having programs that help BIPOC leaders get involved in Minnesota’s legislative policy and fight for change in their communities is critical in finding solutions, and empowering those without a voice. This is a program that I felt the need for in my youth. As a refugee to the United States, I did not have the privilege to be involved in politics — my family was too busy trying to survive.

You can read more about this program here. 

Stay Connected

The 2024 legislative session is a few weeks away, and as we prepare to continue delivering for our community and state, I want to hear from you! Always feel free to contact me and my office at rep.kaohly.her@house.mn.gov or 651-296-8799. You can also follow along on my official Facebook page.

Sincerely, 

Kaohly Vang Her

State Representative