This week, Governor Walz signed three bills into law that:
- Protect people seeking or providing abortions in Minnesota
- Ban the harmful practice of conversion “therapy”
- Protect access to gender-affirming health care
“Today, we’re protecting the rights of Minnesotans and making sure our state remains a place where people have the freedom to get the care they need to live their fullest lives,” said Governor Walz. “We’re also protecting young and vulnerable Minnesotans from the harmful and discredited practice of conversion therapy. We’re putting up a firewall to ensure Minnesotans have the freedom to make their own health care decisions.”
“Everyone deserves to feel safe to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence and discrimination,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “I am proud to live and raise a family in Minnesota knowing that young people, especially our LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit youth, can be their full, authentic selves and exercise agency over their bodies and lives. In this state, we will continue to fight for love over hate every single day.”
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan held a ceremonial bill signing for the Minnesota Indian Preservation Act, which strengthens child welfare protections for Native American families and children. The bill affirms the authority of all federally recognized Indian tribes to handle cases of Indian child custody and child placement proceedings and requires social workers to make active efforts to preserve family unity.
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan joined Moms Demand Action at the Capitol to call for gun violence prevention measures.
"I’m not going to let anyone hide behind thoughts and prayers when what we need is action – now. This session, we’re going to pass universal background checks and a red flag law to keep guns out of the wrong hands. And I’m going to sign it into law," said Governor Walz.
"I’m a mom demanding action on gun violence. Let’s get universal background checks and a red flag law signed into law," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
Governor Walz signed a bill into law strengthening penalties for labor trafficking. The bill creates a crime for labor trafficking that results in death and creates enhanced penalties for labor trafficking that continues for an extended period or causes great bodily harm.
“Labor trafficking is an unacceptable practice that often targets vulnerable and marginalized communities. It will not be tolerated here in Minnesota,” said Governor Walz. “By strengthening penalties for labor trafficking, we are standing with all of Minnesota’s workers and the victims of this devastating crime. We will not stop fighting to ensure that all workers are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect in Minnesota.”
Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan were proud to announce over 100 Minnesota schools received Farm to School grants this year. By providing funding for Minnesota-grown and -raised food, Minnesota is strengthening our local communities and economy while working to ensure every student has access to fresh, nutritious meals.
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan Celebrates Universal School Meals at Little Canada Elementary School
Lieutenant Governor Flanagan visited Little Canada Elementary School to serve lunch and celebrate signing universal school meals into law.
“As a kid who grew up with a different colored lunch ticket, I know firsthand how the school cafeteria has been a space of stigma and shame. By signing universal school meals into law, we've changed that reality for our kids," said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan.
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