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Finally! Parental Consent Bill Gets Out of Committee

By Dave Bydalek

After 11 years of working at the Nebraska Unicameral, I have observed all kinds of tactics designed to stall or kill legislation.  It would take quite a bit to surprise me.  That being said, I was taken aback by the obstacles and schemes used to keep LB 690 from advancing from the Judiciary Committee for debate by the entire Unicameral.  LB 690 would change Nebraska’s law from parental notice to parental consent for abortion.

Objection after objection was raised to various provisions of the bill – to be specific, at least ten purported problems.  None of these issues were substantive, but this scheme was effective in stalling the bill until day 78 of the 90 day session.  Planned Parenthood was a consistent presence in the lobby, and it is clear many of the arguments against the bill were coming directly from them.  While LB 690 will not break new legal ground, it is evident that parental consent laws better protect the health and welfare of minors by allowing parents to be directly involved in the medical decisions of their minor daughters and to help them make their best personal choices, including carrying the child to term and not having abortions.

We are so thankful for our ministry partners, who make our work possible.  Without the ability to be at the Capitol to counter Planned Parenthood’s presence, we believe LB 690 would have effectively been pushed back another year.  Speaker Mike Flood also deserves a heartfelt thanks.  His direct intervention on behalf of the bill was important in moving the bill forward.  Finally, Sen. Lydia Brasch, who introduced and prioritized the bill, never wavered in getting LB 690 considered this session.

Parental Consent Stalled in Committee

The legislative session is down to it’s final 28 days, and LB 690 is still stalled in committee.

LB 690, Sen. Lydia Brasch’s priority bill, would establish that a pregnant minor must get parental consent prior before she can make the life-altering decision to have an abortion.

During the past several months, Family First and other supporters of LB 690 have addressed numerous questions from members of the Judiciary Committee, ranging from constitutional issues to privacy concerns.

Each time Family First dealt with a concern, another supposed issue was raised.  And last week, Attorney General Bruning released an Attorney general’s opinion concluding that LB 690 is on solid constitutional ground.

Frankly, certain members of the Judiciary Committee are engaging in stall tactics.

Gov. Kay Orr

For more on this important piece of legislation, click here to read former Nebraska Governor and Family First Board Member Kay Orr’s excellent op-ed piece in the Omaha World Herald.