Democrats in control of the Minnesota House of Representatives passed surrogacy legislation that has been strongly criticized by religious groups and social conservatives in the state. Authored by four women in the chamber, HF 3567 passed in a 68-61 vote.
In Minnesota, surrogacy is currently legal. However, the practice exists as a private arrangement, meaning the legal system does not have authority to enforce surrogacy agreements between individuals. Passed by House Democrats on Monday night, HF 3567 would establish a legal framework for the surrogacy process.
Among its provisions, the bill states that individuals who provide sperm or an egg in the course of “assisted reproduction” would not be legally considered a parent of the child. Conversely, the legislation says that an individual who signs a document which establishes “intent to be a parent of a child conceived by the assisted reproduction is a parent of the child.”
“Are human beings yours to buy and sell? Are they? Can you answer that question?” Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, asked Democrats during a fiery speech on the House floor.
Last night, Minnesota Democrats voted along party lines to allow the buying and selling of human beings via for-profit surrogacy.
They voted to allow the buying and selling of people.
… Don't worry though. According to Rep. Finke, it's a win for the queer caucus. So, rest… pic.twitter.com/D955A75e4a
— Walter Hudson (@WalterHudson) April 30, 2024
In response to the passage of HF 3567, the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MCC) and the Minnesota Family Council (MFC) released a statement denouncing “the legalization of commercial surrogacy arrangements.”
“Surrogacy commodifies women’s bodies, reduces children to mere products, and creates a system ripe for exploitation and abuse,” said Rebecca Delahunt, Director of Public Policy for the MFC. “By legalizing surrogacy, we risk devaluing the inherent dignity of both women and children, treating them as objects to be bought and sold. Women are not for rent and children are not for sale.”
The Senate version of the surrogacy bill has not yet been voted on by the full Minnesota Senate.
Gun legislation
On the same day, Democrats passed a bill that would require gun owners to report a lost or stolen firearm within 48 hours after the gun owner “knew or reasonably should have known” about the the missing firearm.
Under HF 601, citizens who fail to report the stolen firearm within those 48 hours could be prosecuted for a petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, or gross misdemeanor depending on the offense.
Republicans in the Minnesota House argued that the bill would criminalize victims of gun theft.
“I can’t think of any other situation where someone that is a victim of a crime, if they don’t report the crime, that they are now a criminal,” said Rep. Marion Rarick, R-Maple Lake, during Monday’s floor debate on the bill.
HF 601 was passed by the Democratic majority in the Minnesota House of Representatives by a vote of 68-63. The Senate version of the bill has not been passed by that chamber, but it has advanced through the Senate’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
The legislature is also expected to vote on a new “safe storage” mandate for firearms before the end of session.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
