Nebraska Governor Signs Bill Limiting Abortion and Gender-Transition Treatments for Minors

Nebraska governor Jim Pillen signed a bill banning abortion at the 12-week mark and setting limits on gender-transition treatments for minors.

The unicameral legislature passed the bill on Friday, sending it to Pillen’s desk. The governor has previously explained that the measure is an effort to protect children before they are born and after.

“All children deserve a chance to grow and live happy, fruitful lives. This includes pre-born boys and girls, and it includes children struggling with their gender identity. These kids deserve the opportunity to grow and explore who they are and want to be, and they can do so without making irreversible decisions that should be made when they are fully grown,” explained Pillen in a statement.

On Monday, Pillen called the effort “the most significant win for social conservatives in our state in a generation.”

The bill met vocal opposition as it wound its way through Nebraska’s unicameral legislature, with Democrats filibustering it for a significant period of time. “Until the end of the 108th Legislature, I’ll be filibustering,” said senator Machaela Cavanaugh (D.). Protestors outside the chamber also chanted “Shame!” when the bill passed.

The abortion restriction will go into effect immediately, while the limits on gender transition will go into effect on October 1.

Legislative Bill 574 was the product of debate and private negotiation. Lawmakers initially considered a six-week abortion ban, but that measure failed. A twelve-week ban was viewed as a compromise.

The law will ban gender-transition surgeries for minors and instruct the state’s chief medical officer to promulgate regulations under which puberty blockers and hormone therapy may be administered to people younger than 19.

An earlier measure would have gone further, banning puberty blockers and hormone therapy from the off, but failed.