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Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed a bill Tuesday that would guarantee the “fundamental right” to access an abortion in the state.
Abortion is already legal in Minnesota, but after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the Protect Reproductive Options Act goes a step further by declaring that everyone has the fundamental right to make “autonomous decisions” about their own reproductive health. Health and the right to deny reproductive health.
“It’s very simple, right to the point,” Walz said Tuesday on “CNN Tonight.” “We believe in women in Minnesota, and this is not what it came down to [Supreme Court’s] Resolution, so I think it’s very important that we build a firewall.
After the law was passed, Minnesota became the first state to legalize abortion since Roe v. Wade was reversed, the Office of the Clerk of Laws in the Minnesota State Senate told CNN.
“Last November, Minnesotans said loud and clear: They want their reproductive rights protected — they want them not marginalized,” Walz said in a news release. “Today, we’re making good on our promise to end the firewall against efforts to roll back reproductive freedom. No matter who sits on the Minnesota Supreme Court, this legislation will ensure Minnesotans have access to reproductive health care for generations to come. Here in Minnesota, your access to reproductive health care and your own health care Your freedom to make decisions is protected and protected.
The law states that local governments cannot restrict a person’s ability to exercise their “fundamental right” to reproductive freedom. It also states that this right includes the right to counseling regarding contraception, sterilization, family planning, maternity services, and reproductive health care.
“Beyond giving abortion rights, the pro bill says, of course, not all reproductive health care decisions are our business, including access to contraception, access to anything related to personal and private decisions about your reproductive life. ” Megan Peterson, executive director of Abortion Rights Campaign Unlimited Minnesota, told CNN following Walz’s signing of the bill.
In a letter to Walz before the signing, Republican legislative leaders said the bill went too far and urged the governor to veto what they called “extreme legislation.”
State Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson and House Minority Leader Lisa DeMusz wrote, “As the PRO bill rushes through the Legislature, Republicans offer common sense reforms with safeguards to protect women and children.” Majority Democrat”
In the year In 1995, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in Doe v. Gomez that abortion is a fundamental right protected under the state constitution. The Reproductive Options Act ensures that abortion rights are protected by state law even if a new state Supreme Court overturns the decision.
“By passing this law, Minnesotans will have a second level of protection for their reproductive rights. In the future, the Minnesota Supreme Court may overturn Doe v. Gomez, but with the PRO Act now in state law, Minnesotans will still have a right to reproductive health care. Sennett told CNN in an email.
Following the governor’s signing of the bill, the White House praised Minnesota’s efforts, pointing to public support for women to make health care decisions.
“Americans overwhelmingly support a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, as was evident last fall when voters came out against abortion — including ballot initiatives in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont,” White House Press Secretary Karyn Jean-Pierre said. They said in their statement.
“As congressional Republicans continue to support extreme policies, including national abortion, the president and vice president are asking Congress to restore Roe’s protections in federal law,” she wrote. “Until then, the Biden-Harris administration will continue to work to support state leaders to prevent abortion and protect women’s reproductive rights.”
This story has been updated with additional information.