2023 Abortion Law Changes in Minnesota
In 2003, the Minnesota Legislature enacted the Woman’s Right to Know informed consent law. This law empowered women with basic factual information prior to undergoing abortion—so that women had access to the information they needed to make an informed decision and could properly give their full consent before submitting to a surgical or chemical abortion procedure. The law also required that, 24 hours before an abortion took place, a woman must receive the following information:
The medical risks associated with the abortion procedure (such as infection and hemorrhage) and with carrying the child to term;
The gestational age of the unborn child;
The medical assistance benefits and child support payments available to her.
A woman was also to be offered materials made available by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The MDH booklet, “If You Are Pregnant,” was available both in print and online. It included photographs and descriptions of prenatal development, descriptions of abortion methods, explanations of the risks of abortion, information about alternatives to abortion, and parenting resources available by county in Minnesota.
In 2005 and 2006, the following additional requirements were added to the Woman’s Right to Know law:
When a woman is more than 20 weeks pregnant, she was to be told whether an anesthetic or analgesic could alleviate pain to the unborn child caused by the abortion;
A woman whose unborn child was diagnosed with a terminal condition was to be informed of available perinatal hospice services as an alternative to abortion.
The 2023 Minnesota Legislative Session began January 3, 2023 and ran through May 22, 2023. During this legislative session, Minnesota lawmakers passed numerous laws. Among them were the following:
A bill to legalize abortion up to the moment of birth;
The repeal of the 24-hour waiting period previously required prior to an abortion, during which time a doctor was required to provide the MDH information on the medical risks of abortion;
A repeal of the “Physician-only law,” which required abortions to be performed only by physicians;
The repeal of a requirement that second- and third-trimester abortions be performed in a hospital.
“If You Are Pregnant” is a resource that still exists online for those seeking information about prenatal development, abortion procedures and their associated risks, and alternatives to abortion. The information contained within is designed to provide women and men with the knowledge they need to make an informed decision with regards to abortion.
View “If You Are Pregnant” Document Here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wrtk/directoryenglish.pdf
What should I do if I think I’m Pregnant?
Now, more than ever, it’s vital for women to seek knowledge and information, and to ask questions before seeking abortion care in Minnesota as their basic healthcare protections (informed consent, 24-hour wait period, physician-only, and hospital care) have been removed.
We believe that knowledge is power, and being equipped with all the facts is crucial to improving medical care for women. At our clinic, we can confirm your pregnancy with confidential, no-cost pregnancy testing. If you receive a positive test result, our credentialed nurse sonographer can also perform a no-cost ultrasound to tell you how far along your pregnancy is.
Please note that we do not offer or refer for abortions. However, we are committed to providing evidence-based medical education about abortion procedures and risks. We truly care for you and your health. Contact us today to make your confidential appointment to discuss your options.
Cited Sources: Minnesota House of Representatives