mntag-150x71Anti-abortion license plates could appear on vehicles in Minnesota if a new bill passes the legislature this year. Legislators submitted a flurry of new bills on Monday well ahead of the start of the session in February. One submitted by Republican Rep. Larry Howes of Walker would initiate a “Choose Life” license plate program in the state. Such programs have been met with legal controversy in other states.

Minnesota’s neighbors to the west have instituted “Choose Life” plates. North Dakota held a plate design contest sponsored by an anti-abortion group, North Dakota Right to Life, to come up with the plates. South Dakota has had the plates since 2006.

According to Choose Life, Inc., an organization pushing for the plates in all 50 states, Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life is behind the bill in Minnesota.

The courts have said in some states that the plates are legal and in others they are not. Opponents say the plates give government endorsement to one side of a politically charged debate, and courts have agreed. In South Carolina, a court said the state could not issue anti-abortion plates without also issuing ones in support of abortion rights.

Howes bill would direct state money from the sales of “Choose Life” plates to adoption causes.