1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to health; establishing the reproductive health equity grant fund;
1.3 appropriating money.
1.4 BE 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
1.7 is established to ensure access to abortion care in the state. The purpose of this onetime
1.8 grant is to provide funding to abortion providers, government entities, and nonprofit
1.9 organizations whose primary function is to provide or facilitate access to abortion care. The
1.10 grants must be designed to provide support to abortion providers, fund uncompensated care,
1.11 and increase access to abortion care.
1.12 Subd. 2.Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the
1.13 meanings given.
1.14 (b) "Abortion" means an act, procedure, or use of any instrument, medicine, or drug that
1.15 is supplied or prescribed for or administered to a pregnant individual that results in the
1.16 termination of a pregnancy.
1.17 (c) "Abortion facility" means facilities recognized by the commissioner of health under
1.18 lawful 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.
2.1 (g) "Provider" means any person who furnishes health services and is licensed or
2.2 otherwise authorized to render services in the state.
2.3 Subd. 3.Eligibility. Organizations eligible to receive grant funding under this section
2.4 include 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
2.6 in the form and manner specified by the commissioner.
2.7 Subd. 5.Commissioner's duties (a) The commissioner may make grant awards with
2.8 the funds available under this section. In awarding grants, the commissioner must support
2.9 the abortion care infrastructure of the state while considering the impact of the Dobbs
2.10 decision. 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
2.12 and future care needs, including but not limited to grants that support the recruitment and
2.13 retention of staff; patient navigators; billing consultants; staff training; investments in
2.14 technology to facilitate care, including telehealth care, and other operational needs that
2.15 reflect 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
2.17 regardless 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,
2.19 including but not limited to making security system improvements, updating IT systems,
2.20 and providing de-escalation training; and
2.21 (4) provide training to staff and providers in trauma-informed care and cultural
2.22 competencies in order to best treat all patients.
2.23 (b) Within the limits of funds available, the commissioner may award grants that, in the
2.24 commissioner's judgment, best promote the purposes described in this subdivision, taking
2.25 into 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
2.30 1, 2026. Determination regarding a grant award shall be made within 30 days of receipt of
2.31 a completed application.
3.1 (d) The commissioner may use up to one percent of the funds available for this section
3.2 to 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
3.4 otherwise require any abortion provider or nonprofit organization receiving money from
3.5 the grant fund to divulge the name, address, photograph, license number, email address,
3.6 phone number, or any other personally identifying information of any patient or individual
3.7 who sought or received practical support from a provider or organization, in conjunction
3.8 with the funding provided under this section. Any nonprofit organization or provider
3.9 receiving funds from the program shall take all necessary steps to ensure the confidentiality
3.10 of 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
3.12 application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the
3.13 provisions, words, phrases, clauses, or applications of this section that can be given effect
3.14 without the invalid provision, word, phrase, clause, or application. The provisions, words,
3.15 phrases, 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
3.19 of health for the reproductive health equity grant fund in section 1.
