Trafficking and Protection Order Bills Up for 2nd Round of Debate This Week!
The Legislature will be adjourning early (on May 31 as opposed to June 6). Expect an action-packed couple of weeks as they try to wrap up debate on the issues that have been prioritized and advanced from committee. Two of the Women’s Fund priority bills (LB 519 and LB 532) and a couple others we’re watching closely, will be up for the second round of legislative debate this week and the final round early next week. Stay tuned!
- LB 519, a package of of trafficking bills, passed the first round of legislative debate with no opposition! See how your senator voted and send them some love via email or social media. “Thanks for supporting trafficking survivors and LB 519.” It’s always important to thank senators to reinforce their support!
- LB 532, the bill to strengthen and simplify the process for obtaining protection orders for victims of domestic and sexual violence and harassment, will also be up for the second round of legislative debate this week. Same ask here, as sending some love would be helpful. “Please support safety for survivors of domestic and sexual violence by advancing LB 532.”
- LB 690, the Healthy Pregnancies for Incarcerated Women Act, also made it through the first round of debate last week without any opposition and will be up for the second round this week. LB 690 prohibits a pregnant inmate from being shackled during labor except in extraordinary or dangerous circumstances. See how your senator voted.
- Finally, LB 209, which requires which requires the provision of information about “abortion reversal” to patients seeking a medical abortion will be debated again. Similar “abortion reversal” laws are being proposed across the country despite the statement by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) “claims regarding abortion ‘reversal’ treatment are not based on science and do not meet clinical standards.” You can see the vote count to advance the bill on first round here. We will continue to monitor this bill and work to ensure that women have the access to health care that they need.
Please continue to call or email your senator and ask them to support effective policy solutions for women and girls throughout Nebraska.
Nebraskans Stand for Reproductive Freedom
Join us Tuesday, May 21 at noon on the north steps of the Nebraska State Capitol (1445 K Street, Lincoln) to stand in support of reproductive freedom and in opposition to the dangerous abortion bans that have been passed across the country. This event is held in conjunction with rallies across the country as part of a National Call to Action.
The Women’s Fund advocates for everyone’s right to have control over matters related to their sexual and reproductive health. This means access to medically accurate information and comprehensive reproductive health care, free of discrimination, coercion and violence. People cannot be equal participants in a society that denies them the right to make their own reproductive health decisions.
In case of rain, a news conference will be held inside the Capitol Rotunda, which is on the second floor in the center of the building. Event organizers ask all participants to be respectful and observant of Capitol rules governing free expression. If you are unable to attend, we encourage you to follow the coverage of these events tomorrow via our social media channels and speak out online.