Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Bills placing limits on abortion passed

Published (5/13/2011)
By Hank Long
Share on: 



A bill that would ban abortions at or after 20 weeks of pregnancy was passed 82-46 by the House May 6.

Sponsored by Rep. Mary Liz Holberg (R-Lakeville), HF936 would require providers to determine the probable gestational age of a fetus prior to performing an abortion, and would prohibit abortions at or after 20 weeks post-fertilization, unless certain conditions apply. It awaits action by the full Senate, where Sen. Gretchen Hoffman (R-Vergas) is the sponsor.

The bill would make it a felony for doctors who perform an abortion after 20 weeks gestation.

Supporters of the so-called “Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” contend that scientific developments over the last few decades in prenatal medical technology have found that at as early as 20 weeks gestation, a human fetus can feel pain. The bill would make an exception for instances where it can be medically proven that the survival of the fetus poses a greater risk of death to the woman or of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function.

Opponents contended that the bill does not take into consideration that pregnancies can result in a fetus diagnosed with an abnormality that is incompatible with life and could die before coming to full term or shortly after birth.

“The question is who gets to decide, in a very difficult situation, what the options are, and what the final decision would be: you and me as the government or the woman, the father, her family, her doctor and anyone else she wants to bring in on that?” said Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-Mpls). “I think it should be the woman’s choice to decide what happens.”

The issue of protecting unborn children at or after 20 weeks who can feel pain is of critical importance to the Legislature, said Rep. Doug Wardlow (R-Eagan). “We have a moral duty to protect that vulnerable unborn child from feeling the pain associated with a cruel and terrible procedure that destroys that life and any potential it has to flower as a human individual on this earth.”

The House also voted 80-44 to pass HF201, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Scott (R-Andover), which would prohibit the use of funding for state-sponsored health programs for abortions, except to the extent required for continued participation in a federal program. It now awaits floor action in the Senate, where Sen. Dave Thompson (R-Lakeville) is the sponsor.

Opponents said it negatively impacts a “very personal” health care choice made available to poor women who wouldn’t otherwise have the financial means to have an abortion. Rep. John Lesch (DFL-St. Paul) said the proposed legislation would invite a lawsuit based on the 1995 Minnesota Supreme Court decision in Doe. v. Gomez.

“It’s unwise to go down this road when we have established precedent saying the Constitution prohibits these kinds of laws,” Lesch said.

Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R-St. Cloud) said Lesch’s analysis was nothing more than speculation and added that the bill’s language conforms to federal law.

“The citizens of Minnesota have indicated they don’t want their tax dollars being used to fund an elective procedure which directly results in the killing of an unborn human being,” Gottwalt said. “That is what this bill is about.”

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


A positive balance
Omnibus health care law focuses on reform, restoring cuts and delaying pending cuts
(view full story) Published 5/25/2012

Looking out for children and families
Law offers new safe haven option for newborns; addresses adoption and child safety
(view full story) Published 5/25/2012

Caring for those who care for others
Omnibus health and human services bill remains a moving target
(view full story) Published 3/30/2012

Nursing home funding models
Should residents who can afford to, pay more?
(view full story) Published 3/23/2012

Minnesota Index: Smoking in the state
Facts and statistics on tobacco use in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 3/16/2012

Reform measures draw support
Health and human services reductions draw sharp DFL rebuke
(view full story) Published 8/11/2011

Delivery of health and human services
Governor says proposal puts too many people in health care jeopardy
(view full story) Published 7/15/2011

Surgical precision
HHS budget — end-of-session sticking point
(view full story) Published 5/20/2011

Advocating for patients and constituents
Nurses as legislators add their perspective to health care issues
(view full story) Published 5/13/2011

Aiming for reform
House approves omnibus health and human services finance bill
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Omnibus game and fish bill approved
Deer hunting, two-line fishing provisions push people’s buttons
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

Care for underserved communities
Community paramedic program is a ‘first of its kind’ proponents say
(view full story) Published 4/8/2011

A hand up in climb out of poverty
Bipartisan initiative looks to fund expansion of ‘Circles of Support’ program
(view full story) Published 4/1/2011

Feature: A healthier Minnesota
Long-term savings the goal of statewide improvement plan
(view full story) Published 2/4/2011

At Issue: No access for all
Report says more oversight needed of state-funded non-emergency transportation
(view full story) Published 2/4/2011