Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) has signed a bill into law which adds to the state’s protections for abortion.
Senate Bill 131 was signed Tuesday, and codified an executive order from the previous governor, Steve Sisolak, which banned state agencies from investigating people traveling to Nevada from out of state for abortions. It also prevents medical governing boards and commissions from disciplining abortionists. This means that an abortionist who has been disciplined in another state can still practice in Nevada.
The executive order was put into place by Sisolak just four days after Roe v. Wade was overturned, and specifically said it was meant to “strengthen protections for reproductive freedom” in Nevada.
Though Lombardo represented himself as pro-life on the campaign trail and was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, he also promised not to repeal a 1990 referendum which allows preborn children to be targeted in abortion through 24 weeks gestation.
“Governor Lombardo made a campaign commitment to ensure that Nevada would not participate in prosecuting those seeking legal medical care in the state,” spokesperson Elizabeth Ray said in a statement. “Today, Governor Lombardo kept that commitment.”
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who sponsored the legislation, also praised Lombardo, tweeting, “I want thank him for following through on his commitment to ensure that Nevada won’t participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights.”
Yet Nevada Right to Life argued that the bill puts children at risk, calling it the “Abortion Traffickers Protection Act.” The abortion industry is notorious for protecting abusers by covering up their crimes through abortion.
“SB131 would protect predators and bad actor adults who transport minor girls to Nevada for secret abortions without parental notification or consent,” Nevada Right to Life said in a statement. “What type of adult secretly transports someone else’s child to Nevada for a surgical procedure? Should Nevada protect those types of people?”
