Policy

Minnesota law would ban ‘gender-selection’ abortions

The House is looking to revive a bill that was introduced in March 2009 and […]

The House is looking to revive a bill that was introduced in March 2009 and would ban what it calls “sex-selection” abortions. H.F. No. 1196 would prohibit performing an abortion when a provider knows that the pregnant woman is seeking the abortion “based solely on the sex of the unborn child.” Violations of the law would be a felony, with the offender subject to a fine and not more than two years in prison. Medical professionals with knowledge of a violation of the law would be required to report it to law enforcement authorities. Last year the bill was referred to the Health Care  and Human  Services Policy and Oversight Committee, but never came to a vote. In recent weeks, the House has added a number of “authors” to the bill, most recently Rep. Mike Obermueller, DFL-Egan.

  • The House Finance Committee recommended passage of  a bill that would establish the Minnesota Entrepreneur Resource Virtual Network. S.F. No. 2758 passed the Senate last month with a 67-0 vote. The bill aims to create “a virtual network to provide seamless access to statewide resources and expertise for entrepreneurs and existing businesses using private-sector funding.” The state’s commissioner of employment and economic development would be charged with developing, maintaining  and marketing the network. The legislation seeks to connect entrepreneurs with “state and nonstate supported services and technical assistance,” though it doesn’t mention examples of any of those services. The commissioner of employment and economic development would be tasked with looking for the private funding necessary to create the network.
  • By a 65-1 vote, the Senate passed a measure that sets guidelines for how manufacturers should dispose of “sharps” — such as needles and scalpel blades that could carry infectious materials.  Manufacturers would be required to “provide for” the safe collection and disposal of the items, according to S.F. No. 1323. They’d also be required to educate consumers about their plans to safely collect the items and support pharmacies and retailers in their collection efforts. A House committee has recommended passage of the bill.

Photo from flickr user KeithBurtis

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