Minnesota Senate approves bills protecting reproductive and gender-affirming care, banning conversion therapy.

The Minnesota Senate has passed three bills aimed at protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and those seeking reproductive health care. The bills include a ban on conversion therapy for minors, the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, and a bill making Minnesota a "refuge" state for transgender people seeking gender-affirming care. Supporters say the laws are necessary to protect patients and providers in a time when other states are seeking to ban abortion procedures and gender-affirming care for minors. All three bills are expected to be signed into law by Governor Tim Walz next week.