Reproductive Freedom Defense Act passed in House Health Finance and Policy Committee

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Today, the Minnesota House Health Finance and Policy Committee passed the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act . HF 366, authored by Rep. Esther Agbaje (DFL – Minneapolis), protects the rights and privacy of people receiving or providing reproductive health care.

“This bill is necessary to protect the rights and access to reproductive health care for all Minnesotans, the health care providers who offer reproductive health care, and those from other states seeking care,” said Rep. Esther Agbaje. “It is deeply troubling to see laws pass whose sole purpose is to punish people who perform reproductive health care. I am proud to carry this bill where are creating strong protection for Minnesota’s health care providers and citizens against legal attacks and criminal penalties from anti-abortion extremists in other states.”  

The Reproductive Freedom Defense Act requires patient consent for the release of health records relating to reproductive health care; prohibits disciplinary action against health care providers for certain acts related to providing reproductive health care; prohibits enforcement of certain subpoenas or judgments from other states related to pregnancy termination; establishes a cause of action for someone sued for using reproductive health care services; and prohibits certain extraditions and arrests for acts in other states related to reproductive health care. 

The committee approved the bill on a voice vote and will be referred to the Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee.

Additional information and documents from the hearing are available on the committee webpage.