Gov. Pillen set to sign LB 574 into law on Monday

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Governor Jim Pillen is set to sign LB 574 into law on Monday, which would ban abortions after 12 weeks and gender-affirming healthcare for minors in Nebraska.

This comes as reaction is still pouring in after the bill passed the Legislature on Friday. At least six people were arrested as well for their actions inside the State Capital on Friday, including one person who allegedly punched a Nebraska State Trooper. 

Monday’s signing ceremony is expected to begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Capital.

The abortion part of the bill, the “Preborn Child Protection Act” has an emergency clause attached to it so it will go into effect immediately after Pillen signs the bill. The “Let Them Grow Act” part of the bill, addressing transgender youth in the state, will go into affect in three months.

In a statement on Friday, Gov. Pillen said quote, “All children deserve a chance to grow and live happy, fruitful lives.  This includes preborn boys and girls, and it includes children struggling with their gender identity.” 

However, debate over this bill is far from over, according to many Democratic senators and opponents of LB 574.

The ACLU of Nebraska says there will likely be legal challenges to the bill.

“We hope that people take comfort knowing that the ACLU of Nebraska was made for moments like this,” Mindy Rush Chipman, interim executive director for ACLU of Nebraska. “We’re exploring every option available to us, including seeking justice through the courts.” 

Some senators have said the bill is unconstitutional because the abortion ban was added less than a week before it passed. The state’s constitution says a bill can only cover one topic, and those who oppose it say this amendment violates that rule. 

“It addresses care for transgender youth and separately addresses abortion care, two completely different things,” said Sen. John Cavanaugh. “You go to two different doctors for that.”

Still some organizations believe a 12-week abortion ban isn’t enough.

The executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, Sandy Danek, was quoted, saying in part, “Unfortunately, since approximately 90% of abortions occur before 12 weeks, that’s still so many lives being lost. We will continue to work, as we have for more than 50 years, to protect all Nebraska preborn babies.”