Status: Approved on Final Reading on a vote of 37 to 7; Governor signed into law on May 18. 

            Prohibits abortion coverage in health insurance plans offered through state health insurance exchanges created pursuant to the federal health care law (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act).  Allows coverage for abortions done to prevent the death of the woman and for medical complications arising from an abortion.  Also prohibits private health insurance plans, contracts or policies from providing coverage for an elective abortion except through an optional rider to the policy for which an additional premium is paid solely by the insured.

Nebraska Catholic Conference Testimony LB 22

Voting yes: Adams, Ashford, Avery, Bloomfield, Brasch, Carlson, Christensen, Coash, Cornett, Dubas, Fischer, Flood, Fulton, Gloor, Hadley, Hansen, Harms, Harr,B., Heidemann,  Howard, Janssen, Krist, Langemeier, Larson, Lathrop, Lautenbaugh, McCoy, Mello, Nelson, Nordquist, Pahls, Pankonin, Pirsch, Price, Schilz, Schumacher, Smith, Sullivan, Utter, Wallman, Wightman

Voting no:  Campbell, Conrad, Cook, Haar, K., Louden, McGill

         Would replace Nebraska’s parental notification law (in effect since 1991) with the requirement a minor (unemancipated woman less than 18 years of age) obtain notarized parental consent (from one of her parents) before obtaining an abortion.  If the pregnant woman declares in writing that she is victim of abuse by her parents or legal guardian, the physician can obtain consent from the woman’s siblings (if 21 years old) or from a stepparent or grandparent specified by the pregnant woman.  The bill contains a “judicial bypass” provision, required by relevant court cases, that allows a minor to seek authorization for the abortion from a court.

Introducer: Sen. Pete Pirsch

Status: Public hearing held on March 9; Held in Judiciary Committee for further work

            Provides conscience protection for individuals and entities not wanting to participate in the practice of abortion or embryo-destructive research/experiments because of moral or religious objections. 

Nebraska Catholic Conference Testimony LB 461

Introducer: Sen. Mark Christensen

Status: Public hearing held on February 23^rd; Awaiting action in Judiciary Committee

            Allows a pregnant mother to use force against an attacker who is trying to harm her unborn child.  It accomplishes this by including an unborn child in the definition of “third person” in Nebraska’s current law that allows a person to use force to protect a third person from an attacker.

Introducer: Health and Human Services Committee

Status: Public hearing held on February 9^th; Awaiting action in Health & Human Services Committee

            This bill would direct the State of Nebraska to apply for a federal Medicaid waiver to expand eligibility for coverage of family planning from 100 percent of poverty income guidelines to 185 percent of poverty guidelines.  One rationale offered by proponents is that expanding coverage for family planning will ultimately save the state money by reducing the number of pregnancies and births that the state will have to pay for under Medicaid. 

LB 192: Mandates Public Schools to Teach “Comprehensive” Sex Education