A western Minnesota city is considering a proposed regulation that would give its residents the power to sue abortion providers or companies that ship abortion drugs through the mail.
The city of Prinsburg, with a population of just over 500, is located near Willmar in Kandiyohi County. The city does not currently have an abortion clinic, the nearest being in Moorhead almost three hours away.
The proposed ordinance was presented to City Council by outgoing State Assemblyman Tim Miller (R-Prinsburg), who now works for Pro-Life Ministries. The organization defines itself as “a non-denominational Christian organization dedicated to the public defense of the sanctity of human life”.
The proposal is based on a Texas law passed in 2021 that allows individuals to sue any provider or person who assists with an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, which Planned Parenthood says means before the majority of people even realize they’re pregnant are.
The Associated Press reported that those successful in a Texas court case can receive a $10,000 reward from the defendant.
Prinsburg’s proposal states that the plaintiffs could seek from the defendant “statutory damages of not less than $100,000,” along with payment of costs and attorneys’ fees.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison sent a letter obtained by Bring Me The News advising Prinsburg Mayor Roger Ahrenholz that the city could face a lawsuit if it goes ahead and passes the ordinance.
“Any ordinance by the city that restricts the basic rights of pregnant Minnesotans to abortion is unconstitutional,” Ellison wrote, citing the 1995 ruling of the Minnesota Supreme Court in Doe V. Gomez. The case noted The state constitution protects both the right to an abortion and the right to choose an abortion.
“All of us as elected officials swear to uphold the Minnesota Constitution. I know that as Minnesota’s Chief Legal Officer, I will do everything in my power to protect the constitutional rights of Minnesotans, including the right to abortion.”
A special city council meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 2 to further consider the proposal.
Roe v. Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court on June 24. In response, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it would do nothing to stop it from happening in the state. Minnesota officials, such as Walz, Ellison and outgoing Hennepin District Attorney Mike Freeman, have said they will not assist state agencies in investigations or criminal proceedings stemming from people coming from out of state for an abortion.
Bring Me The News has contacted Miller for comment but has not yet received a response.
To read the full proposal, click here.
