On Friday, LB 574, the “Let Them Grow Act,” passed with a vote of 33 in favor and 15 opposed. Once signed by Governor Jim Pillen, this legislation will protect preborn babies after 12 weeks gestation.
“Our hope was to pass protection for beating hearts in the womb, detectable at about six weeks, with the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, but that failed to advance beyond the filibuster mounted by opponents,” said Sandy Danek, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life.
Amendment 1568, the “Preborn Child Protection Act,” which was attached to LB 574 on May 16, does include protection for most Nebraska preborn babies at 12 weeks gestation and beyond, with the exception of rape, incest and life of the mother.
“While this law allows unlimited abortions for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it is still more limiting than the law that has been in place since 2010, the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” said Danek. That law, which Nebraska Right to Life helped to pass, banned abortion after 20 weeks gestation.
Based on the Nebraska 2021 Statistical Report of Abortions, 2,360 abortions were performed, 2,195 of which took place before 12 weeks gestation. “Unfortunately, since approximately 90% of abortions occur before 12 weeks, there are still so many lives being lost,” said Danek. “We will continue to work, as we have for more than 50 years, to protect all Nebraska preborn babies.”
Nebraska Right to Life is grateful for the leadership of Governor Pillen, who partnered with pro-life senators to offer some protection with the introduction of Amendment 1568. We acknowledge the pro-life commitment shown by Senator Joni Albrecht, who introduced the Nebraska Heartbeat Act, Senator Ben Hansen for proposing the “Preborn Child Protection Act” and the steadfast courage shown by the pro-life senators in the Nebraska Legislative body.