Senate debates all sides of domestic violence bill

Last week, senators debated LB669, a bill introduced by Senator Storer which would update Nebraska’s informed consent laws to require women be screened for coercion and abuse when they go in for an abortion appointment. This measure was introduced with the intent of combating domestic violence and human trafficking. In debate, senators presented contrasting information on the potential impacts of this measure. Senator Storer and other supporters of the bill argued it was necessary to give victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking a lifeline that could be their only option to escape in a time when sex trafficking is on the rise in Nebraska and across the country. Meanwhile, opponents countered that this measure would be hard to implement for OBGYNs and hospitals.