HF24

Purpose

• To change Minnesota law so that a baby who is born alive during an abortion is treated as a legal person with immediate protection under the law.

Main Provisions

• Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 145.423 subdivision 1.
• States that a born-alive infant who is born alive as a result of an abortion shall be fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate protection under the law.
• Requires responsible medical personnel to take all reasonable measures, consistent with good medical practice, to care for the infant who is born alive.
• Requires these personnel to preserve the life and health of the born-alive infant.
• Includes the compilation of appropriate medical records as part of the care.

Significance / Changes to Existing Law

• Establishes explicit legal status for a baby born alive during an abortion, granting immediate protective rights as a human person.
• Endows healthcare providers with a duty to take prompt, medically appropriate actions to care for the infant and to attempt to preserve life and health.
• Adds a requirement to document medical records related to such cases.
• Represents a statutory shift toward stronger protections for infants born in abortion scenarios.

Status

• The bill was read in session, referred to committee, and ultimately not passed.

Relevant Terms

• born alive infant
• born alive as a result of an abortion
• fully recognized as a human person
• immediate protection under the law
• responsible medical personnel
• all reasonable measures
• good medical practice
• care for the infant
• preserve the life and health
• compilation of appropriate medical records
• Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 145.423 subdivision 1