Abortion rights bill on fast-track in MN House, next hearing Tuesday

House Democrats have fast-tracked a bill to put abortion rights into state law, which cleared its first committee yesterday (Thurs)  over Republicans’ heated objections and has another hearing set for next Tuesday.  A judge struck down Minnesota’s parental notification law — and North Branch Republican Anne Neu Brindley warns the bill doesn’t reinstate it:

“An abuser and a rapist can be the one to take that young girl to get an abortion… and cover up their crimes.”

Bill sponsor, Democrat Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn from Eden Prairie responds:

“Over 95 percent of minors do talk to a trusted adult…  parent, aunt or uncle, school counselors are trusted adults too — before they would move forward.”

Republican Neu Brindley says the measure is “the most extreme position… probably in the world” and would allow abortion up to the moment of birth.  The bill’s backers respond late-term abortions are “extremely rare,” generally to save the mother’s life or in cases of a non-viable fetus.