Updated On:
February 4, 2026
Restoring the Right to Life-Saving Care for Infants Born Alive
Infants born alive after failed abortion attempts must be given life-saving medical care. The Minnesota legislature removed this requirement from state statute 2023 in the omnibus Health bill. We advocate for restoring the requirement for life-saving medical care to ensure every child, no matter the circumstances of birth, receives a chance at life.
Overview
Infants are born alive during late term failed abortion attempts. Through a bipartisan 2015 law called the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, infants born under these circumstances were required to receive life-saving medical care, and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) was required to report on infants born under these circumstances from 2015-2023. MDH reported that five infants were born alive in 2021, for example.
In 2023, the statute that required infants who are born alive during botched abortions to receive life-saving care was amended by the legislature in such a way that stripped the requirement for life-saving care for these infants. The legislature also repealed the requirement for MDH to report on infants born under these circumstances. Minnesota Family Council and True North Legal opposed these changes to state law in 2023.
We supported Rep. Knudsen's bill HF24 (2025) to restore the right to life-saving medical care for infants born alive during failed abortion attempts. This bill failed to pass when it came to the House floor as it did not have the majority vote of the House.
Testimony
Bill Author
Rep. Krista Knudsen (R)
Bill Text
HF24Timeline
Most recent
Mar 13, 2025
67 Yea, 66 Nay - Bill was not passed as it failed to receive the 68-vote majority of the House
Feb 17, 2025
Committee report, to adopt
Feb 6, 2025
Introduction and first reading, referred to Health Finance and Policy
earliest
Bill Author
Sen. Paul Utke (R)
Bill Text
SF461Timeline
Most recent
Jan 21, 2025
Introduction and referred to Health and Human Services
earliest