Another big week for reproductive freedom in Minnesota!
January 21, 2023
Things are moving at a rapid pace this legislative session, and we are excited to share this week’s news with you!
This week the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act passed in the MN House of Representatives. The PRO Act supports and defends people’s right to make and act on the full spectrum of decisions available to them regarding their pregnancies and their reproductive health care — without government interference.
“UnRestrict Minnesota applauds the House’s passage of this historic bill—it’s a vital first step to fulfilling the promise of reproductive freedom for Minnesotans and people across the United States seeking safe and legal abortion care,” said Megan Peterson, Executive Director of Gender Justice.
Reproductive Freedom Codification Act Passes Senate Committee
After hearing testimony from pro-reproductive-freedom religious leaders, an abortion patient facing serious medical risks due to Minnesota’s abortion restrictions, abortion providers, and more, the Minnesota Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed the Reproductive Freedom Codification Act (HF 91/SF 70), which would repeal Minnesota’s harmful abortion restriction laws.
And now legislators need to hear from YOU to keep this legislation moving!
Reach out to your legislators and voice your support for HF 91/SF 70. Let them know that these restrictions create dangerous ambiguity in our laws, impose unnecessary barriers to accessing abortion, and undermine our fundamental right to abortion in Minnesota.
Positive Pregnancies Support Act Heard in House Committee
UnRestrict Coalition partners and advocates were in the House Health Finance Committee this week to testify in support of the Positive Pregnancies Support Act.
The new bill would reform the Positive Alternatives to Abortion Act, a Minnesota law that enables state funding of so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers — anti-abortion centers that use misinformation, deception, and coercion to try to prevent people seeking to end a pregnancy from getting abortion care.
“Pregnant people facing difficult questions, decisions, challenges, and even crises need access to a full range of accurate information about their options, not the lies and coercion pushed by fake clinics run by anti-abortion activists,” said Abena Abraham, campaign director for UnRestrict Minnesota.
Welcome, YWCA Minneapolis!
We are thrilled to welcome a new coalition partner to UnRestrict Minnesota!
YWCA Minneapolis is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to being a leader, resource, and advocate in the public policy space. Welcome YWCA Minneapolis!
Thank you for being part of the UnRestrict Minnesota community!
In solidarity,
The UnRestrict Minnesota Team
P.S: Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day is on February 21st and registration is live! Don’t forget to register and share with your network!