What Happened in the 2002 Legislative Session?
Following is a summary of anti-choice legislation in 2002. Minnesota NARAL expects to see the same legislation appear in 2003. A return of the "Woman's Right to Know" bills. This legislation would require women seeking abortions to listen to state-scripted information about the procedure and then wait 24 hours to obtain the abortion. Vetoed twice by Governor Ventura, this proposal is redundant and unnecessary.A new attempt to de-fund family planning providers that also provide abortions through a Super Gag Rule. Legislators have introduced a bill that prohibits a wide variety of state family planning funds from going to any organization that provides, counsels, or refers for abortions, or any organization that even considers abortion to be "part of a continuum of reproductive health services."Efforts to reduce and divert family planning funds. In a budget bill, anti-choice Representatives have cut family planning funds by 25%, and have required that 20% of the remaining funding go to organizations that provide only natural family planning servicesTwo anti-choice constitutional amendments: One amendment, H.F. 657/S.F. 1748, would ban all public funding of abortions in Minnesota, even those that are the result of rape, incest, or that endanger the life of the woman.The second amendment, H.F. 54/S.F. 51, would require the Minnesota Constitution to be interpreted like the U.S. Constitution on matters of abortion. This would eliminate the greater protection given to the women of Minnesota by our state Constitution.Unlike regular legislation, constitutional amendments cannot be vetoed by the governor. Once passed by simple majorities in both houses, the amendment goes straight to the 2002 ballot. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * What can I do to protect the right to choose at our state legislature?
1. Stay informed! Sign up for Minnesota NARAL's Alert Network.
2. Contact your legislator! Let them know you oppose any attempts to restrict a woman’s right to choose, whether through constitutional amendments, “woman’s right to know” legislation, or gag rules. (To find out who your legislators will be in the new session, check out the Secretary of State Election Results page.) 3. Tell a friend that her rights are under attack! 4. Volunteer today! Contact us at volunteer@mnnaral.org or 651-602-7655.
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