House passes bill to let state voters decide if gender equity should be provided for in state constitution

Minnesotans may get to decide next year whether a provision for gender equality should be added to the state’s constitution.

House lawmakers on Thursday voted 72-55 to pass HF13, which would place the following yes-or-no question on the 2020 general election ballot: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that equality under the law must not be abridged or denied on account of gender?”

Rep. Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL-New Brighton), the bill’s sponsor, said it is meant to ensure that equal protection for women and men is guaranteed under the law in Minnesota. She said 27 states have similar amendments in their constitutions.

“Fairness is a fundamental value to Minnesotans. Our state constitution should reflect that,” Kunesh-Podein said in a statement. “The equality Minnesota women and men have fought for in life, in work, in school and in our major institutions shouldn’t be taken for granted. It should be guaranteed.”

Opponents said constitutional amendments such as the one proposed by the bill, have been used in other states to rule pro-life laws unconstitutional.

Rep. Marion O'Neill (R-Maple Lake) said that happened in New Mexico and could happen again in Pennsylvania where a recent lawsuit on the issue has been filed. She unsuccessfully offered an amendment to add language that she said would make the bill “neutral” on abortion.

“This should not be used as a tool for or against abortion,” O’Neill said.

Several amendments were also offered to change or define the word “gender” in the bill because proponents believed it would be confusing to voters or have unintended consequences. None were adopted.

The bill now moves to the Senate where Sen. Richard Cohen (DFL-St. Paul) is the sponsor.