Dear Friends and Neighbors,
There's just over a week remaining in the legislative session with the Constitutionally required adjournment on Monday, May 21. With the major supplemental spending bills passed last week and those bills currently being negotiated in House-Senate conference committees this week, several additional important bills passed off the House Floor this week.
Rep. Lucero answering questions from 6th graders visiting the Capitol from STMA Middle School East this week. The students also visited Fort Snelling to learn more about Minnesota's rich history.
WOMEN’S RIGHT TO KNOW
SF 2849 passed off the House Floor this week which seeks to further empower women with information. It's critically important every woman considering an abortion be permitted the opportunity to view an active ultrasound image of her unborn child if she would like to prior to an abortion (and likewise turn down the opportunity to view if she chooses).
According to Planned Parenthood ultrasounds are always performed on women prior to an abortion. Other states have requirements about viewing an ultrasound as part of an abortion, including:
- 14 states require verbal counseling or written materials to include information on accessing ultrasound services.
- 25 states regulate the provision of ultrasounds by abortion providers. If signed into law, SF 2849 would align Minnesota with these 25 states
Because it is truth abortion ends the lives of innocent, unborn children and because I firmly believe women should be empowered with information and the right to know, I was proud to vote in favor of the bill. SF 2849 may help some women avoid regret by providing access to information that may have an impact on their decision.
Rep. Lucero attending the 25th Annual Mn Adult & Teen Challenge Gala whose mission is to assist teens and adults gain freedom from chemical addictions and other life-controlling problems by addressing people's physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
SF 2554 passed off the House Floor this week which seeks to broaden the required information collected by the Department of Public Safety to include “possession of pornographic work involving minors” and “harmful materials; dissemination and display to minors prohibited.” Additionally, SF 2554 expands the penalty applied to certain prostitution crimes.
The objective of collecting the additional information is to better identify the link between human trafficking and pornography in the continued and very important work to combat the trafficking and sexual exploitation of youth.
I’m proud to be a co-author of this bill and SF 2554 unanimously passed both the House and Senate.
STAYING IN TOUCH
As always please contact me to share any issues, concerns, or feedback you may have that will assist me best represent you. The best way to reach me is by email at Rep.Eric.Lucero@House.MN or by phone at 651-296-1534.
Sincerely,
Eric Lucero
State Representative
District 30B
Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Saint Michael, and the Wright County portion of Dayton