We continue to ensure that the perspectives and experiences of women and girls in Nebraska are heard by our elected officials. This week, we testified in support of defining affirmative consent relating to sexual assault (LB 360) and providing more financial support for the statewide network of domestic violence/sexual assault service providers (LB 662). Your engagement continues to be a critical part of the process. Join us by using your voice to advocate for the issues important to you!
TAKE ACTION — SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT ONLINE FOR LB 20
Everyone deserves the right to decide if, when and how to start a family. This requires access to health services, like birth control. Insurance plans typically cover 30- to 90-day supplies of prescription birth control at one time. Limiting the supply of birth control to these short intervals can create gaps in use. We can reduce these barriers by passing LB 20 and providing insurance coverage for an extended supply of birth control at one time. Learn more about the bill (English / Spanish), introduced by Senator Carol Blood.
The hearing for LB 20 will be on Monday, March 1 at 1:30 pm. There will likely be opposition from the insurance industry, so we need your voice! Submit your comment in support of LB 20 today.
Here’s what to do:
- Go to LB 20.
- Click “Submit Comments Online for LB 20.”
- Enter your info as a proponent.
- Help us reach our goal of 100 comments and reduce barriers to accessing birth control!
Learn more about how to take action and submit comments in support of LB 20.
Today, there are several LGBTQ-focused bills that we are supporting in the Judiciary Committee:
- LB 517 to provide a gender-neutral designation on licenses and expand access for those who wish to amend their birth certificate;
- LB 120 to prohibit employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity;
- LB 230 to prohibit housing and public accommodations (businesses serving the public, like restaurants and hotels, for example) discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and
- LB 231 to prohibit conversion therapy in our state.
These bills, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, increase protections for LGBTQ folks in our state and ensure that all Nebraskans are treated equally.
There are several other bills we are taking action on in the last few weeks of hearings.
MONDAY, MARCH 1
LB 480 – Increases the minimum wage (Senator Terrell McKinney). In 2019, compared to men, twice as many women earned the minimum wage or less. We support this effort to increase gender pay equity.
LB 172 – Increases unemployment benefits (Senator Matt Hansen) for those unable to return to work full-time.
LB 241 – Adopts the Meatpacking Employees COVID-19 Protection Act (Senator Tony Vargas). In response to COVID-19 and how it continues to directly impact meatpacking workers, Senator Vargas has introduced legislation to put in place safety and sanitary measures, paid sick leave and PPE provisions, among other requirements to keep these frontline workers safe.
These three bills will be heard by the Business and Labor Committee.
LB 657 – Requires the Legislative Research Office to include racial impact statements on all bills (Senator Vargas). This bill would require the research office to summarize how the legislative proposal would impact racial disparities in the state. This bill will be heard by the Executive Board beginning at 12:00 pm.
FRIDAY, MARCH 12
LB 276 – Expands telehealth access to include abortion care (Senator Hunt) by eliminating a requirement that a physician be physically present in the same room when an abortion is performed. This bill would lift restrictions on medication abortion care and will be heard by the Judiciary Committee at 9:30 am.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
- March 4 – Mark your calendars for “Centering Black Women, Femmes & Girls in Nebraska Policy,” a discussion with I Be Black Girl and the Women’s Fund as part of UNO’s Women and Public Policy Week!
- March 5 – Our next Public Policy Power Hour to keep you up to date on what’s new and how you can get involved in public policy.
Reminder: You are the Second House in Nebraska. Your voice and input are critical in shaping legislation. Use your voice. Contact your Senator. Speak up for women and girls!