MN legislative records: on Abortion

Erin Murphy: No additional license requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Rep. Murphy voted NAY; passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed April 26

Erin Murphy: Fight Hobby Lobby: cover all FDA-approved contraception

The Contraception Health Equity and Employee Rights (CHEER) Act would require employer health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved contraceptive methods and procedures. The proposal includes an exemption for non-profit religious employers.

"Women have the right to make their own health care decisions without interference by their boss. Women shouldn't be discriminated against for their personal health care decisions, including whether and when to use contraception," said Erin Murphy. "The Supreme Court's misguided ruling and inaction in Congress means that we need a state legislature that will step up for basic health care equity for Minnesota women."

Erin Murphy: Oppose exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Erin Murphy voted NO; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Ilhan Omar: Oppose exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Ilhan Omar voted NO; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Jesse Ventura: Vetoed 4-hour waiting period for abortions

When asked on air about the 24-hour waiting period, I said: "It's not like driving into a McDonald's and pulling up and saying, 'I want a #4 cheeseburger.' You have to make an appointment." I went on: "Really, what I think the question comes down to is, how involved in our personal, private lives do we want to interject government?"

I made an offer to the right wing: "I'll sign this bill if you make all optional surgical procedures have a 24-hour waiting period, which would include liposuction." They were appalled.

Back in MN, I announced my decision on the bill in the governor's reception room. I said: "I have decided it is wrong for government to assume a role in something I have always believed was between a woman, her family, her doctor, and, if she chooses, her clergy." And I vetoed the bill.

Jim Abeler: No public funding for embryonic stem cell research

Legislative title:Public Funding for Stem Cell Research

Legislative summary: Vote to pass a bill that allows the University of Minnesota to use state funding for human embryonic and stem cell research.

• Prohibits the selling or purchasing of fetal tissue and attempts at human cloning
• Allows the University of Minnesota to spend state-appropriated funds on stem cell research.
• Prohibits researchers from creating human embryos and from destroying, discarding, or injuring human embryos.
• Issues guidelines for stem cell research.
• Establishes an optimal structure for an amniotic and a placental stem cell bank program.

Jim Abeler: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Kurt Bills: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Mark Dayton: No additional license requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed by Gov. Dayton, April 26

Mark Dayton: Vetoed licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Mark Dayton: Vetoed exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Governor Mark Dayton on May/10/17

Matt Dean: Voted YES on additional requirements for abortion clinics

• A clinic or health center in which the pregnancies of ten or more women are willfully terminated each month shall be licensed by the commissioner of health.
• The operation of such a facility without obtaining a license is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $300.
• Comprehensive inspections, with no notice required, shall occur up to two times per year.
• The annual license fee is $3,712.

Excerpts from Veto Letter:I am returning SF1921, because this bill would impose extensive new licensure requirements on [abortion] clinics. The bill is vague in its definition of potential licensure violations, and could permit complaints to be filed for almost any reason. There are approximately 1,250 clinics in Minnesota already subjected to significant state and federal oversight.

Legislative Outcome: Rep. Matt Dean voted YEA; passed Senate 43-23-1, April 18; passed House 80-47-6, April 20; vetoed April 26

Matt Dean: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Matt Dean: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood : This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on Apr/24/17; State Rep. Matt Dean co-sponsored the bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 35-29 on May/4/17; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May/10/17

Michelle Benson: Require exposure of abortion clinic employees for licensure

Analysis by Planned Parenthood: This bill compromises patient and provider privacy, putting their safety at risk. This bill requires that abortion clinics report the names and license numbers of all "health care professionals" who work at the clinic in their applications for licensure. A politically motivated Commissioner of Health could use this legislation to target abortion providers for harassment.

Veto Message: House File 809 infringes upon women's basic right to health and safety--a right of every woman, regardless of the type of health insurance she has. This bill would interfere with critical medical decisions that should be made between a woman and her doctor.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 79-53-0 on April 24, 2017; Passed Senate 38-7 on May 4; State Senator Michelle Benson co-sponsored and voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 10

Michelle Benson: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.

Veto letter excerpts:

• [Regarding surgery rules]: Clinics are very different from surgical centers. For example, under surgery center rules, clinics would be prevented from offering other services such as primary and preventive care.
• There are six abortion clinics in Minnesota which would be affected by the legislation. All are members of the National Abortion Federation which sets clinical policy standards and inspects every member.
• There is sufficient oversight of clinics, and there is no evidence of poor quality or unsafe procedures being performed.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 80-47 on April 20, 2017; passed Senate 43-23 on April 18; State Sen. Michelle Benson voted YES; vetoed by Gov. Dayton on May 22.

Michelle Fischbach: Stricter licensure requirements for abortion facilities

• Impose new licensure requirements upon facilities which perform 10 or more abortions per month
• Apply existing rules for outpatient surgical centers to targeted clinics.