At a Monday afternoon signing ceremony, Governor Jim Pillen signed LB 574 into Nebraska law.
Other wise known as the Let Them Grow Act, the bill creates a prohibition of gender affirming healthcare for individuals under the age of 19. Attached to be bill, an abortion ban at 12 weeks gestational age, or 9 or 10 weeks from fertilization.
Pillen was seemingly joined by every supporting senator of the bill, including the bills sponsor Sen. Kathleen Kauth, and the proposer of the abortion amendment Sen. Ben Hansen. Sen. Joni Albrecht, who sponsored a previously failed abortion ban, spoke through tears at the signing.
Gov. Pillen, “Today is an extraordinary, historic day for the state of Nebraska. It’s a day where, it’s really simple, we’re standing up to protect our kids so that our state has a bigger and brighter future. LB 574 is the most significant win for social conservative agenda in over a generation of state Nebraska.”
LB 574 was signed with an emergency clause. This means the new abortion statute goes into effect immediately. The gender affirming care portion of the bill will go into effect October 1st, 2023.
Yielding to press questions, Gov. Pillen projected confidence regarding forecasted legal challenges to the bill, “Of course were prepared, and of course were gonna win if that takes place.”
When asked if LB 574 overrode parental rights to freely make decisions regarding the rearing of their children, Pillen said, “We believe in protecting our kids… making sure that they, parents and kids, don’t get duped into this silliness that if you do this you’re gonna become happy, that is absolutely lucifer at its finest.”
Pillen was holding a newborn baby while signing the bill into law.