Overview:
Minnesota requires tissue resulting from an abortion or miscarriage to be disposed of by cremation or burial. This law is based on the beliefs of anti-abortion activists, not standard medical or public health safety protocols. Mandating this not only increases cost of care, but may go against the wishes or religious beliefs of a patient.
Impact:
Minnesotans have diverse beliefs about the moral status of a fetus, and this law privileges the religious beliefs of some Minnesotans over others. This mandate, unnecessary from a medical or public health perspective, is an attempt to add stigma, shame, and cost to Minnesotans seeking abortion care or experiencing miscarriage.