MN Bill Would Restore 'Born Alive Infants Protection Act' Language

ST. PAUL, MN — A new bill introduced in the Minnesota House by Republicans aims to restore specific protections for infants born alive after an abortion.

Gov. Tim Walz and the Democratically-controlled state House and Senate altered the "Born Alive Infants Protection Act" in 2023, along with all other state restrictions on abortion.

Eneacted in 2015, the Born Alive Infants Protection Act stated that "a born-alive infant as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person, and accorded immediate protection under the law."

The bipartisan bill was signed into law by then-Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.

Following the 2023 change, state statute simply states that, "an infant shall be fully recognized as a human person."

The new bill, proposed earlier in February, would change that to “a born alive infant as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person."

The bill would also change "care for an infant who is born alive" to requiring "responsible medical personnel preserve the life and health of the born alive infant."

Advocates argue that the change is crucial to ensure doctors are obligated to provide life-saving care rather than just comfort care.

“Abortion survivors were required to receive medically appropriate care that would save their lives — just like any other baby born at the same gestational age,” Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life wrote in a letter.

However, Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) argued that the bill would overlook the emotional and personal realities of families facing heartbreaking situations.

During the Feb. 11 meeting of the House Health Finance and Policy Committee, Bahner shared a personal account of how her family made the decision to deliver a baby knowing it wouldn't survive to term.

In doing so, they prioritized the moments they could spend cherishing their child before saying goodbye.

Bahner argued that requiring doctors and nurses to provide life-saving care to infants born alive after an abortion would rob families of those meaningful moments. She described the bill as cruel and out of touch with the emotional needs of grieving families.

The bill passed the committee 11-10, along party lines, for a potential House-floor vote.