With last year’s defeat of an amendment to codify the right to abortion in Nebraska’s state Constitution, new abortion-related legislation is continuing to make its way through the Nebraska legislature.
Rick Holdcroft
State Senator Rick Holdcroft (District 36) has introduced four pro-life bills to the unicameral this session. A Hearing is being held on one of them on Thursday, Feb. 13, the Chemical Abortion Safety Protocol Act (LB512). This bill would regulate medication abortions in Nebraska, which is currently used in 80% of abortion procedures in Nebraska.
Holdcroft spoke about his bill to the Sarpy GOP on Thursday last week, and he described the current administration of the abortion pill, specifically at the Carhart abortion clinic in Bellevue.
“There’s nobody there [at the clinic] except when the doctor is there prescribing this pill,” Holdcroft said. “And if you know how the pill works, you go home, and you have a miscarriage in your bathroom alone. And if you have any issues, they advise you go to the emergency room.”
Holdcroft’s bill would require a few more steps on the part of the abortionists administering the medication. “They’ve got to do a couple tests, tests for ectopic pregnancies, tests for RH factor, and then there has to be a follow-up within fourteen days,” Holdcroft said. “And so you think that doesn’t sound too bad, well they’re just screaming about it. It’s all about profit for the abortion facilities, and this is going to eat into their bottom line.”
The bill is one of four pieces of pro-life legislation proposed by Holdcroft. The others are:
- LB213, which mandates that the State Board of Education integrate accurate biological science on human embryology into the academic content standards for students from elementary through high school.
- LB214, which allows for the placement of safe haven baby boxes at fire stations, providing a secure and anonymous way for parents to surrender infants up to 90 days old.
- LB124, which aligns the legal penalties for causing the death of an unborn child with those for killing a born person, ensuring equal treatment under the law.
Tanya Storer
Freshman Senator Tanya Storer (District 43) is also bringing a pro-life bill to the floor, LB669, which would expand the informed consent process for women seeking abortions to screen for victims of abuse.
“We have learned more and more every year the reality is many women that end up seeking an abortion are not there on their own free will,” Storer said at the Walk for Life on Feb. 1. “They’re in domestic violence situations and oftentimes being trafficked. We made sure that there was a provision in the bill that they are provided a private place to answer that question away from their abuser.”
If passed, the bill would enhance informed consent laws for abortions by mandating healthcare providers screen women for domestic violence, coercion, and trafficking in a private setting. If abuse is indicated, women would be allowed to contact safety hotlines, with providers required to document these screenings.
The bill has been referred to the Judiciary Committee, with a hearing date scheduled for March 6, 2025.
