LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — The "Let Them Grow Act" otherwise known as LB 574 passed the Nebraska Legislature on Friday by a 33-15 vote.
The bill restricts gender-affirming care to anyone under the age of 19 and also implements a 12-week abortion ban in the state.
Governor Pillen released a statement in reaction to the passage of the bill:
"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."
OutNebraska issued a statement about the passage of the bill:
“They have thrown away the session for nothing,” said OutNebraska Community Organizer Aryn Huck. “Parents are writing to us asking what to do next, worried they may have to uproot their entire lives because of this bill.”
“Nebraska should be for everyone,” said Abbi Swatsworth, executive director of OutNebraska. “While today's outcome is deeply disappointing, it is certainly not the end of our commitment to advocate and support transgender Nebraskans.”
Archbishop of Omaha George Lucas, Bishop of Lincoln James Conley and Bishop of Grand Island Joseph Hanefeldt said, in part:
"The Let Them Grow Act ensures that the futures of hundreds of Nebraska children will be safeguarded each year and legally protected so they may grow and flourish. We’re reminded of our call to help be Christ to our neighbors by accompanying them in times of need."
Andi Curry Grubb, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska issued the following statement:
“A ban is a ban, plain and simple. Banning abortion after 12 weeks denies a person the fundamental right to control their own body and health care decisions. The goal of the abortion ban and the gender-affirming care ban, as with all bans, is to stop people from accessing essential health care and to take away people’s power over their own bodies, lives, and futures.
Every person deserves the right to control their bodies and their futures. Today’s bans will create a devastating new reality in Nebraska, and I am very sad for the patients and families who will be impacted.”
This is a developing story.
See the debate below:
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