1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to health; establishing the reproductive health equity grant fund;
1.3 appropriating money.
1.4BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.5 Section 1. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EQUITY GRANT FUND.
1.6 Subdivision 1.Establishment and purpose.The reproductive health equity grant fund
1.7is established to ensure access to abortion care in the state. The purpose of this onetime
1.8grant is to provide funding to abortion providers, government entities, and nonprofit
1.9organizations whose primary function is to provide or facilitate access to abortion care. The
1.10grants must be designed to provide support to abortion providers, fund uncompensated care,
1.11and increase access to abortion care.
1.12 Subd. 2.Definitions.(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
1.13meanings given.
1.14 (b) "Abortion" means an act, procedure, or use of any instrument, medicine, or drug that
1.15is supplied or prescribed for or administered to a pregnant individual that results in the
1.16termination of a pregnancy.
1.17 (c) "Abortion facility" means facilities recognized by the commissioner of health under
1.18lawful rules promulgated by the commissioner for the performance of abortions.
1.19 (d) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of health.
1.20 (e) "Medical services" means the range of care related to the provision of abortion.
1.21 (f) "Program" means the reproductive freedom and equity grant program.
1Section 1.
REVISOR SGS/DG 25-0298002/11/25
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 1278
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Freiberg, Sencer-Mura, Smith, Clardy, Hollins and others02/20/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Health Finance and Policy 2.1 (g) "Provider" means any person who furnishes health services and is licensed or
2.2otherwise authorized to render services in the state.
2.3 Subd. 3.Eligibility.Organizations eligible to receive grant funding under this section
2.4include nonprofit organizations or entities that provide or facilitate access to abortion care.
2.5 Subd. 4.Grant procedure.Eligible programs must apply for a grant under this section
2.6in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.
2.7 Subd. 5.Commissioner's duties(a) The commissioner may make grant awards with
2.8the funds available under this section. In awarding grants, the commissioner must support
2.9the abortion care infrastructure of the state while considering the impact of the Dobbs
2.10decision. The commissioner shall award grants for the following purposes:
2.11 (1) increase access to care by growing the capacity of abortion providers to meet present
2.12and future care needs, including but not limited to grants that support the recruitment and
2.13retention of staff; patient navigators; billing consultants; staff training; investments in
2.14technology to facilitate care, including telehealth care, and other operational needs that
2.15reflect the intention of increasing access to abortion care;
2.16 (2) ensure the affordability of and access to care for anyone who seeks care in the state
2.17regardless of their ability to pay for care by funding uncompensated care;
2.18 (3) secure the physical and digital infrastructure of facilities providing abortion care,
2.19including but not limited to making security system improvements, updating IT systems,
2.20and providing de-escalation training; and
2.21 (4) provide training to staff and providers in trauma-informed care and cultural
2.22competencies in order to best treat all patients.
2.23 (b) Within the limits of funds available, the commissioner may award grants that, in the
2.24commissioner's judgment, best promote the purposes described in this subdivision, taking
2.25into account all of the following:
2.26 (1) the extent to which abortions are needed locally;
2.27 (2) the ability of the applicant to advance health equity; and
2.28 (3) the relative need of the applicant.
2.29 (c) The commissioner shall make grants under this section beginning no later than January
2.301, 2026. Determination regarding a grant award shall be made within 30 days of receipt of
2.31a completed application.
2Section 1.
REVISOR SGS/DG 25-0298002/11/25 3.1 (d) The commissioner may use up to one percent of the funds available for this section
3.2to pay the costs incurred by the department in administering the grant program.
3.3 Subd. 6.Privacy.The department or commissioner shall not request, adopt rules to, or
3.4otherwise require any abortion provider or nonprofit organization receiving money from
3.5the grant fund to divulge the name, address, photograph, license number, email address,
3.6phone number, or any other personally identifying information of any patient or individual
3.7who sought or received practical support from a provider or organization, in conjunction
3.8with the funding provided under this section. Any nonprofit organization or provider
3.9receiving funds from the program shall take all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality
3.10of the individuals receiving services in accordance with state and federal laws.
3.11 Subd. 7.Severability.If any provision, word, phrase, or clause of this section or its
3.12application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the
3.13provisions, words, phrases, clauses, or applications of this section that can be given effect
3.14without the invalid provision, word, phrase, clause, or application. The provisions, words,
3.15phrases, and clauses of this section are severable.
3.16 EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective July 1, 2025.
3.17 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION.
3.18 $30,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
3.19of health for the reproductive health equity grant fund in section 1.
3Sec. 2.
REVISOR SGS/DG 25-0298002/11/25