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Bill Summary · SF 5225

Summary: SF 5225 — Constitutional Amendment to Recognize a Preborn Child’s Right to Life (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Purpose and Intent

SF 5225 proposes a constitutional amendment to Minnesota’s Constitution (Article I) to recognize that a preborn child has the right to life. The amendment is intended to establish the right to life for a living human fetus at any development stage from fertilization until live birth, while preserving certain medical exceptions. If adopted, the amendment would become effective January 1, 2027.

Key Provisions

  • New constitutional section (Sec. 18): Adds a right to life for a preborn child.

    • The right to life exception: The section does not prohibit necessary medical treatment to save the life or health of a pregnant individual, nor the removal of a nonviable or deceased preborn child (including in cases of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy).
    • Definition: “Preborn child” is defined as a living human fetus or living human being at any development stage from fertilization until live birth.

  • Temporal and operative scope:

    • The amendment, if ratified, would take effect January 1, 2027.
    • It would apply to laws and government actions consistent with recognizing the preborn child’s right to life, subject to the stated medical exceptions.

  • Submission to voters (Sec. 2):

    • The proposed amendment must be placed on the ballot at Minnesota’s 2026 general election for voter ratification.
    • If ratified, the amendment becomes part of the Minnesota Constitution on the effective date (January 1, 2027).
    • The ballot question would read: “Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to recognize that a preborn child has the right to life?” with Yes/No options.
    • The title for the ballot question under state statute would be: “Preborn Child Right to Life Amendment.”

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Constitutional framework: Adds a new protected right to life for a preborn child within the Minnesota Constitution.
  • Legal and policy landscape: Could influence interpretations of abortion regulation, abortion access, fetal rights, and related health care policy, by embedding a right to life at the constitutional level.
  • Medical exceptions: Maintains allowances for medically necessary treatment to save the life or health of a pregnant individual and for the removal of a nonviable or deceased preborn child (including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies).
  • Voter decision: Final authority rests with Minnesota voters in the 2026 general election if the bill advances to passage.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced 04/27/2026; referred to the State and Local Government committee.
  • Election submission: The amendment would be placed on the 2026 general election ballot for ratification.
  • Effective date: If ratified, the amendment becomes effective on January 1, 2027.
  • Title and ballot language: Requires a constitutional ballot question and a short descriptive title per statutory requirements.

Notes

  • The bill does not specify enforcement mechanisms or define penalties; it focuses on recognizing a right to life in the state constitution and detailing medical exceptions.
  • The proposal is sponsored by multiple senators and has several co-sponsors.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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