It’s been a busy week at the Nebraska Legislature with our priority bills advancing and the fight to protect Title X funding coming to a head. What follows is an update on where the issues stand and how you can continue to advocate for women and girls.
If you have any questions about the information discussed in this Legislative Update, feel free to contact our Research and Policy Director Tiffany Seibert Joekel via email at TJoekel@OmahaWomensFund.org.
Trafficking Bill Advances to Final Round of Debate
LB 1132, a bill supporting sex trafficking survivors, passed the second round of floor debate on Wednesday afternoon. There is one more vote remaining before the bill goes to the Governor. A set aside law for sex trafficking survivors would provide survivors/victims a pathway to rebuild their lives without the burden of a criminal conviction.
Continue to contact your senator and encourage them to keep advancing LB 1132, which is the right thing to do in supporting sex trafficking survivors in Nebraska.
Read more about how this bill supports sex trafficking survivors via the Omaha World-Herald.
Language to Restrict Title X Access Remains in Budget Bill
A deal was struck to advance the budget bill on the second round of debate, still including language that will restrict access to health care services funded by the federal Title X program. The budget bill, LB 944, will have one more round of debate, scheduled for Tuesday, April 3.
The result of this damaging policy will be that thousands of low-income and uninsured Nebraskans will no longer be able to access their current health care provider for Title X services, including STD tests, prenatal care, pregnancy testing, contraceptive services, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and many other services.
We will continue to work with partners to stand up for access to health care for women and girls in our state.
Payday Lending Reform Takes a Step Forward
LB 194, which aims to reform payday lending, recently advanced out of committee and will be debated next week. While the bill has changed from its original intent, it aims to take a small and important step forward in protecting consumers. Payday loans in Nebraska have one of the highest annual percentage rates (APR) at roughly 460%. We remain focused on full reform that lowers the cost and ensures other consumer protections for small-dollar loans.
Important Upcoming Dates
- April 10: UNhappy Hour on Equal Pay Day
- April 30: Deadline for online voter registration in advance of upcoming primaries (Douglas County or Sarpy County)
- May 4: Deadline for in-person voter registration for upcoming primaries
- May 15: Primary Election