St. Paul, MN – Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 1, the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act. This bill protects Minnesotans’ right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, the right to abortion, and ensures 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. The bill passed on a vote of 69-65.
Rep. Brad Tabke (DFL – Shakopee) voted in favor of the legislation.
“Politicians have no place in the deeply personal decisions around when and if to start a family,” said. Rep. Tabke. “Today, we took an important step forward to safeguard reproductive rights in Minnesota, and I’m proud to have cast my vote in favor of the PRO Act.”
The PRO Act 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.
In the Minnesota Senate, committees are still acting on the bill. Governor Walz has indicated he will sign it into law once it reaches his desk. Video of today’s floor debate and vote can be found on the House Public Information Youtube page.
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