(Lincoln, NE) -- Nebraska lawmakers pass the so-called 'Let Them Grow Act'.
The bill would restrict gender-transitioning surgeries for minors in the state of Nebraska and leaves the decision of using puberty blockers or hormone therapies up to the state's Chief Medical Officer. The bill also includes an abortion amendment that would restrict abortions after 12 weeks of gestational age. That amendment was added to the bill on Tuesday, after a previous 6-week abortion ban failed to pass earlier this legislative session.
During the final round of debate on Friday, those protesting against the bill could be hear chanting "My Body, My Choice." During debate, the legislative chamber's balconies were cleared of onlookers due to chanting and disruptions.
The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it will go into effect after it is signed by Governor Jim Pillen. Pillen issued the following statement following the bill's passage:
"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."
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska say the bill's passage will be "devastating:"
“Senators just voted to deny Nebraskans medically necessary care and to trample their freedom to make decisions about their own lives, families and futures. The consequences of this drastic act of government overreach will be devastating. To be clear, we refuse to accept this as our new normal. This vote will not be the final word. We are actively exploring our options to address the harm of this extreme legislation, and that work will have our team’s full focus. This is not over, not by a long shot.” - ACLU of Nebraska interim director Mindy Rush Chipman