Families in West Seventh and nearby Saint Paul neighborhoods are following a proposal that would repeal a Minnesota law requiring medical care for infants who survive attempted abortions.
Alpha News reported that Minnesota Democrats introduced legislation to repeal several state abortion restrictions, including the Born Alive Infants Protection Act adopted in 2015.
The 2015 law states that infants who survive abortions must be recognized as human persons and provided medical care intended to preserve their lives.
What the current law requires
Rep. Tina Liebling, a Rochester Democrat and author of the repeal bill, argued during a House Health Committee hearing that the statute was based on a false understanding of abortion and insulted medical professionals by suggesting politicians needed to supervise their conduct.
Rep. Anne Neu Brindley, a Republican from North Branch, offered an amendment to preserve the born-alive protections. She argued that an infant who is alive after an abortion is clearly a person entitled to legal rights and medical care.
The DFL-controlled committee rejected Neu Brindley’s amendment on an 8-11 vote.
Other provisions in the repeal bill
According to Alpha News, the bill would also repeal restrictions on using public funds for abortion and a requirement that aborted fetal remains be disposed of in a dignified and sanitary manner.
Alpha News cited Minnesota Department of Health data reporting that five infants survived abortions in 2021.
Liebling maintained that Minnesota law already protects infants who are alive and called claims to the contrary inflammatory. Opponents argued that repealing the specific statute would remove a clear legal safeguard.
Why the issue matters locally
The bill would apply statewide, including throughout West Seventh and nearby Saint Paul neighborhoods. Residents represented by Sandra Pappas may want to consider whether general medical standards are sufficient or whether Minnesota should retain an explicit law governing care for infants who survive abortions.
Residents of West Seventh may wish to contact Sandra Pappas to ask whether Minnesota should retain a specific statutory duty to protect infants born alive.
Article Source: Alpha News: “Minnesota Democrats want to repeal protections for infants who survive abortions”
