Minnesota has few restrictions on its abortion laws, making it more permissive than other states but more restrictive than some states. Minnesota’s restrictions mainly focus on counseling before an abortion and parental notification in the case of minors.
Women are required to undergo state-directed counseling before an abortion can be provided,
the Guttmacher Institute reported. They must wait at least 24 hours before the procedure is performed. Counseling includes information, such as possible harm to the fetus, which may discourage women from seeking an abortion,
according to FindLaw.
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Pro-life supporters like Minnesota’s counseling requirements and mandated parental involvement for minors, and pro-choice groups accept the few restrictions in the state.
NARAL Pro-Choice America, which grades states according lenient abortion laws, gives Minnesota a moderate C+ rating.
The pro-choice grade compares with the F ratings received by such states as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia, which have counseling requirements but also include such measures as limiting abortion services under health care plans to life endangerment of the mother. Michigan and Pennsylvania allow the purchase of a rider under health plans at additional costs.
Public funding for abortion is only available in cases of life endangerment, rape or incest in these states.
However, states such as New York, Vermont and California received A grades from NARAL. New York, for example, has no major abortion restrictions such as limits on public funding, mandated parental involvement, or waiting periods, according to Guttmacher.
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Minnesota has the most permissive abortion laws in its region along with Iowa, which has similar regulations, according to NARAL, which gives low ratings to neighboring Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Requirements in Wisconsin include counseling and an ultrasound performed on a woman before an abortion. Images from the ultrasound must be carefully described to the woman.
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