Minnesota House of Representatives, photo credit: house.leg.state.mn.us
ST. PAUL, Minn. – An “abortion shield” bill the Minnesota House passed one week ago now awaits a vote in the Senate after clearing a key committee late Friday.
It would protect medical providers and others in Minnesota from legal action by other states with abortion bans or other restrictions.
“In essence this bill protects Minnesotans from prosecution by other states over what is legal in Minnesota,” said author Democratic Rep. Esther Agbaje from Minneapolis.
Andover Republican Rep. Peggy Scott said the bill will make Minnesota a sanctuary state, and a destination state for people wanting to end their pregnancies.
Among wide-ranging provisions in the bill, it would prohibit a judge from issuing an arrest warrant, or a peace officer from arresting someone, if they’re charged in another state for providing one of its citizens with reproductive health care that’s legal in Minnesota.
The governor could also refuse to extradite someone to another state under similar circumstances.
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