Section 145.409 of the Minnesota Statutes, also known as the “Protect Reproductive Options Act” or PRO Act, codifies an individual’s right to control their own reproductive health. It also plainly states that the Minnesota Constitution protects the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Finally, the statute prohibits local units of government from imposing any additional restrictions on access to reproductive health services.

The Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill repeals Minnesota laws that: required patients seeking abortions to wait 24-hours after receiving a statutory informed-consent process; required extensive reporting of abortions by providers; and criminalized abortions under specific circumstances.

While the PRO Act and Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill codify patients’ rights to reproductive health within Minnesota, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act protects providers and patients alike from civil and criminal penalties imposed by states other than Minnesota.