The Protect Reproductive Options Act Passes First House Committee

St. Paul, MN — Today, the Protect Reproductive Options Act (PRO Act) passed its first House committee with overwhelming support. The House Health Finance and Policy committee advanced the PRO Act, sending the bill to the House Judiciary Committee next Tuesday, January 10 at 8:30am.

The PRO Act will allow Minnesotans to make their own reproductive health care decisions, including the right to contraception, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, the right to fertility treatment, and the right to an abortion.

Currently, Minnesota has legal precedent protecting the right to abortion. As was seen with Roe v. Wade, legal precedent can be overturned. Passing a state law provides a level of protection that judges cannot overturn.

“As a doctor, every day when I walk into the health center, I know my patients will come in from all walks of life,” said Dr. Traxler, Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood North Central States. “While no two patients are the same, I know that all patients deserve to control their own bodies and their futures.”

If the PRO Act passes the Minnesota House and Senate, the governor can sign it into law, where it will immediately go into effect.

A broad coalition of Minnesotans support the PRO Act: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Minnesota, Fairview Health Services, Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, Minnesota Chapter of American College of Physicians, Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Minnesota Medical Association, SEIU Healthcare, Violence Free Minnesota, Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Gender Justice, ACLU of Minnesota, Pro Choice Minnesota, and Women's Foundation of Minnesota.