Lincoln, NE | Nebraska Right to Life | February 4, 2026
Today, the Nebraska Legislature failed to pass legislation aimed at protecting women from coerced abortions and identifying victims of sex trafficking, despite testimony highlighting the urgent need for safeguards for vulnerable women and girls. The bill failed to advance by only two votes. See how your Senator voted here.
The bill would have required abortion providers to screen women for signs of coercion, domestic violence and sex trafficking – common factors in situations where women are pressured into abortions against their will. The measure was designed to ensure women are offered help, resources and a safe opportunity to speak freely. LB 669, introduced by Senator Tanya Storer and prioritized by Senator Dan Lonowski, would have ensured women were informed of available resources, provided access to national hotlines, and given the option to make a confidential phone call.
“Women deserve protection, not silence,” said Sandy Danek, Executive Director of Nebraska Right to Life. “This bill was about making sure no woman is threatened, rushed or forced into a situation while her abuse goes unnoticed. Sex trafficking and abortion are fundamentally interlinked and today the Legislature chose to side with an abortion lobby that prioritizes profits over women’s well-being.”
Research and survivor testimony show that sex trafficking victims and women in abusive relationships are often targeted for coerced abortions in order to conceal ongoing exploitation. Basic screening protocols are a common-sense step to identify victims and quickly connect them with help.
Despite the bill’s focus on the protection of women, several State Senators declined to cast a vote. No democrats voted in favor of these women-centered protections.
While the bill did not pass, the issue is far from resolved. Today’s outcome does not erase the reality that coercion and trafficking exist. Nebraska Right to Life will continue working to ensure our laws reflect compassion and real protection for women and children, and hold accountable the lawmakers who failed to support the measure.