Bill > HF1278

This bill establishes a Reproductive Health Equity Grant Fund in Minnesota with the primary purpose of ensuring access to abortion care. The fund will provide $30 million in fiscal year 2026 to support abortion providers, government entities, and nonprofit organizations that facilitate abortion access. The bill defines key terms such as "abortion" and specifies that eligible organizations can apply for grants to address various needs, including increasing provider capacity, funding uncompensated care, improving facility security, and providing staff training in trauma-informed and culturally competent care. The commissioner of health will oversee grant awards, considering factors like local abortion needs and health equity. Importantly, the bill includes strong privacy protections, prohibiting the collection or disclosure of patient-identifying information. Grants will be awarded starting no later than January 1, 2026, with decisions made within 30 days of receiving a completed application. The bill is explicitly designed to support abortion care infrastructure in light of the Dobbs Supreme Court decision, which eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion. The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions can still be implemented.

Health and Social Services

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=House&f=HF1278&ssn=0&y=2025