Nebraska set to ban abortion after 12 weeks; ban gender transition surgeries, puberty blockers for youth

Nebraska's legislature passed the "Let Them Grow Act" Friday, banning most abortions after 12 weeks and banning transgender medical procedures for people under age 19, KETV and other outlets reported.

"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," said Nebraska Gov. Jim Pilllen (R) in a statement Friday.

"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."

The pro-life portion of the bill was a last-minute amendment to LB 574, CNN explained. The "Let Them Grow Act" restricts most abortions after 12 weeks with exceptions for sexual assault, incest, and medical emergencies.

A similar bill that would have banned most abortions around six weeks, the "heartbeat bill," fell one vote short of passing on April 27. The abortion ban portion of LB 574 will take effect immediately if Gov. Pillen signs it.

The bill originally addressed only gender transition medical procedures for people under age 19. Once signed into law, the bill will bar heath care providers from performing gender transition surgeries and providing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to youth. The portion of the bill banning non-surgical gender transition medical procedures for youth will take effect October 1, if Gov. Pillen signs it.

The State Patrol brought in additional officers for security purposes as hundreds of protesters flooded the Capitol Friday, the Nebraska Examiner reported.

Six people were ultimately arrested, the outlet also reported. Two of the arrestees were women who reportedly threw tampons and pads from the balcony of the legislative chamber. Two more refused to leave the viewing galleries when directed to do so. Another was arrested in the rotunda after tangling with the sergeant at arms over opening a door. The last was arrested after punching a trooper.

"This is and always has been about the age of the person to make these kinds of decisions. As an adult, they have every right to, but as a child, you have to be extremely careful," state Senator Kathleen Kauth of Omaha, a sponsor of the original bill, told the Examiner.

"I think that everyone in this body wants to protect kids. We just have different ideas about what that means."

Watch coverage from KETV below, including people protesting the "Let Them Grow Act" by shouting, blocking walkways, and struggling with law enforcement officers.

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