FAQ: What Minnesota and neighboring states could do now that Roe is overturned

Updated: June 24 | Posted: June 17

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that there is no federal constitutional right to abortion, overturning Roe v. Wade. The decision allows states to determine whether abortion is legal or not.

Here are some common questions, and answers, about access to abortion in Minnesota and nearby states:

Is abortion legal in Minnesota?

In short, yes.

That’s due to a 1995 state Supreme Court opinion called Doe v. Gomez, where it was determined that the procedure fell under the constitutional right to privacy.

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In that decision, Chief Justice Sandy Keith wrote there were “few decisions more intimate, personal and profound.”

What is a ‘trigger law’?

Trigger laws are ones that some states have placed on the books to go into effect as soon as Roe is overturned. Currently, 13 states have such laws, though they differ on the exact implementation mechanism.

Wisconsin:

Without Roe, Wisconsin would revert to a 1849 law, which states that “any person, other than the mother, who intentionally destroys the life of an unborn child” is guilty of a felony, except in cases where it’s necessary to save the life of the pregnant person. Penalties include up to six years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Wisconsin state Attorney General Josh Kaul has questioned if the 173-year-old law is legally enforceable, and has said that he would not enforce it. But local officials could choose to do so.

Planned Parenthood in Wisconsin halted all scheduled abortions at its clinics in Madison and Milwaukee following the decision.

Iowa:

On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed a 2018 decision stating that Iowans had a constitutional right to abortion. That could clear the way for state legislators to limit access in the state, though officials have not said exactly what they will do.

Planned Parenthood North Central States, which covers Iowa and Minnesota, said in a statement that it was disappointed by the decision, which “dramatically lowered the constitutional protection that Iowans have to abortion.”

South Dakota:

South Dakota has a trigger law that would go into effect “on the date states are recognized by the United States Supreme Court to have the authority to prohibit abortion at all stages of pregnancy.” It makes providing an abortion, or giving medication to induce an abortion, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $4,000.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has announced plans for a special legislative session to bolster state law, according to the Associated Press. A date has not been set for the Republican-controlled Legislature to meet.

Noem has previously said she opposes any exception to an abortion ban, including in cases of rape or incest. Recently, she has indicated she will look to increase support for pregnant women who can no longer access abortions in the state.

North Dakota:

North Dakota also has a trigger law making performing an abortion a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000. However, it does not go into effect until after “the legislative council approves by motion the recommendation of the attorney general to the legislative council that it is reasonably probable that this Act would be upheld as constitutional.”

What are the barriers to abortion access in Minnesota?

While abortion is currently enshrined in the state constitution, there are still legal, financial and cultural barriers to accessing reproductive care.

For example, parental notification requirements make it mandatory for anyone under 18 to notify both parents if they plan to have an abortion, regardless of what kind of relationship they might have with those parents.

Additionally, getting an abortion can cost hundreds of dollars, and depending on your insurance may not be covered. Minnesota also has documented inequities when it comes to health coverage and income, so these barriers often disproportionately impact Black communities, Indigenous communities, Latinx communities and other people of color in Minnesota.

Some Minnesota abortion providers say they’re already seeing an uptick in appointments, as people travel to the state from places like Texas, which has implemented strict abortion laws.

“I think people who haven't known that has been relatively easy for them to get an abortion, they'll feel that it's going to be much harder now that people are going to be coming into their space trying to access abortion care,” said Shayla Walker, executive director of the Minnesota-based advocacy group Our Justice. “But I know there are a lot of people who've already been living in post-Roe for a long time.”

There can also be stigmas around abortion care, so people may feel like they don’t have anyone they can talk to about it in their families or in their communities.

How are providers and advocates getting ready?

Some clinics in Minnesota have said they’re working to increase the days they perform abortions, in anticipation of an influx of patients from other places in the U.S. There are also advocacy groups, like the Midwest Access Coalition and Our Justice, that provide money for abortions, as well as funding travel and hotel stays.

“So if you're coming to any clinic in Minnesota, we will provide a pledge to you,” Walker said. “If you are Minnesotan traveling outside of Minnesota for any reason for your abortion, we'll also provide a pledge to you.”

The group Spiral Collective helps get people rides to and from abortions, along with abortion doula support and other services.

What are anti-abortion organizations seeing?

Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) reported that their offices were recently vandalized, with several windows smashed and the words “Abortion is Liberation” spray-painted on the side. There were also recent acts of vandalism at so-called ‘crisis pregnancy centers’ in the region.

MCCL spokesperson Paul Stark said the group is putting in additional security measures in response, including security cameras. The group Jane’s Revenge has allegedly claimed responsibility for the act.

"We strongly condemn violence in any form, including against organizations that hold values that differ from ours," said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, in a statement. "Under no circumstances does violence have an acceptable place in our society, and we unequivocally reject it as a solution to our disagreements. We strongly urge those who see violence as a legitimate path forward to reconsider, and to immediately cease any further engagement of this nature.”

What questions do you have now that Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Correction (June 23, 2022): An earlier version of this article misstated the parental notification requirements under Minnesota state law. The article has been updated.