LB 626, also known as the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, is on the table for Nebraska lawmakers.
The Nebraska Heartbeat Act makes changes to current abortion statute in the state. LB626 would outlaw abortions at the time when cardiac activity can be detected in a pregnancy, which occurs roughly around the 6 week period. Abortions are currently allowed in Nebraska up to 20 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for the life of the mother.
The bill was introduced by State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston, “Under LB626, before performing an abortion, a physician must perform an ultrasound to listen for a fetal heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, performing an abortion is unlawful, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.”
Heated debate between lawmakers ensued.
Opposing the bill, Lincoln State Senator George Dungan, “This law will harm women. This law will more directly criminalize doctors, and it’s going to put our people in Nebraska, pregnant people at risk. People who are denied care because doctors are scared that they’re, not just going to have their license revoked, but that they’re going to be charged with a felony.”
There has been disagreement amongst lawmakers whether this bill would indeed criminalize medical professionals performing abortion services. Sen. Albrecht has outlined that no one seeking an abortion would be criminalized, and that the bill does not contain language indicating patients could be held criminally liable for seeking or receiving abortion services, however, medical professionals would have to abide by the new law. Sen. Dungan (currently a Lancaster County public defender), has voiced this concern, saying there is ample room to criminalize medical professionals under this bill.
The topic of citizen retention and “brain drain” was also discussed by lawmakers. The topic of drawing people to Nebraska and keeping current residents has been frequently discussed along side most bills this session.
Senator Tony Vargas said, “It’s not just physicians… but the general population of Americans are making decisions on where they’re starting to live, based on where they have abortion care.”
To this point, Senator Kathleen Kauth said, “If people are making decisions about where to live, based on these laws, I would like to offer a warm welcome and invitation to citizens from Minnesota, Colorado, New York, California, who have recently passed laws allowing abortion up to birth,” the ladder part of this claim being disputed by some senators to be inaccurate.
After 8 hours of debate, LB 626 gained 33 votes to advance for a second round of debate.