Nevada Governor Signs Abortion Law: What You Need Know

Nevada's Republican governor Joe Lombardo has signed a law protecting abortion rights in the state. The legislation, which was sponsored by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, codifies an existing executive order from former governor Steve Sisolak that bars state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. The law also ensures that medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions. Abortion in Nevada is currently legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy, and after 24 weeks if the pregnancy could be fatal for the pregnant individual. In 1990, Nevada voters approved a referendum safeguarding the state's law legalizing abortion, and in 2024 voters will decide whether to amend the Nevada Constitution to further protect abortion rights.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo is a Republican who supports abortion rights

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo is a Republican who supports abortion rights. On May 30, 2023, Lombardo signed a law that enshrined protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, making Nevada a safe haven for abortion patients. The legislation was a codification of an existing executive order from former Governor Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, that barred state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada.

Lombardo, who describes himself as "pro-life" and was endorsed by the National Right to Life Committee, said during his campaign that he would respect the will of voters who, in a 1990 referendum, voted to codify abortion rights up to 24 weeks. Abortion is currently legal in Nevada until 24 weeks of pregnancy, and after 24 weeks if the pregnancy could be fatal for the pregnant individual.

Lombardo's decision to uphold the executive order was a reversal of his earlier position, a change that Sisolak's campaign repeatedly emphasised. In February 2023, Lombardo signalled that he would sign the bill, which did not add any further protections to Sisolak's executive order. On May 31, 2023, Lombardo signed the bill into law, stating that he wanted to ensure that Nevada would not participate in prosecuting those seeking legal medical care in the state.

In addition to the above, Nevada's Democratic-controlled Legislature advanced a resolution that would enshrine existing abortion rights in the state constitution, making it much harder to repeal. The resolution must pass in both the 2023 and 2025 sessions before appearing on the ballot in 2026. This process does not require the governor's approval.

Abortion is legal in Nevada until 24 weeks of pregnancy

In May 2023, Nevada's Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers. The legislation, which codifies an existing executive order from former governor Steve Sisolak, bars state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. It also ensures medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.

In 2024, voters will decide whether to amend the Nevada Constitution to protect abortion rights. The Reproductive Rights Amendment will appear on the Nevada ballot, proposing to amend the state constitution to create the fundamental right to abortion until viability.

Nevada's Democratic-controlled Legislature advanced a resolution to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution

Nevada's Democratic-controlled Legislature has taken steps to protect abortion rights in the state by advancing a resolution to enshrine these rights in the state constitution. This move comes amidst a backdrop of increasing restrictions on abortion across the United States following the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The resolution, which was passed by the state Assembly with a vote of 28-14 along party lines, seeks to provide the highest level of state protection for abortion rights and other reproductive access, including postpartum and prenatal care, as well as birth control. The resolution must be passed again in 2025 before it can go before voters as a ballot question in 2026. If approved by voters, it would be extremely difficult to repeal these protections.

The resolution has been supported by Democratic lawmakers, who argue that it is necessary to protect reproductive and medical freedom for Nevadans. They believe that decisions about healthcare, especially reproductive healthcare, should be made between a patient and their doctor. This stance is in direct opposition to the trend in over a dozen states that have effectively outlawed abortion or tightened restrictions since the reversal of Roe v. Wade.

However, Republicans have spoken out against the proposal, arguing that abortion protections are already codified into law and that the resolution includes reproductive protections beyond what was outlined in the 1990 referendum vote. While some Republican lawmakers suggested splitting the resolution into two separate proposals, they ultimately voted against the measure.

The advancement of this resolution by Nevada's Democratic-controlled Legislature highlights the state's commitment to protecting abortion rights and ensuring that residents have access to reproductive healthcare. By seeking to enshrine these rights in the state constitution, Nevada is taking a strong stand on this issue, even as other states move to restrict abortion access.

The Nevada Right To Abortion Initiative will appear on the November 2024 and 2026 ballots

The initiative is a response to the US Supreme Court's decision in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had previously prevented states from regulating abortion in the first trimester. Now, individual states can make their own laws regarding abortion.

Nevada has a history of supporting abortion rights. In 1990, Nevada voters approved Question 7, which upheld the state's law legalizing abortion until 24 weeks of pregnancy. This referendum also prohibited the state legislature from amending or repealing the law without putting it to a direct vote.

In 2023, Nevada's Democratic-controlled Legislature advanced a resolution to enshrine existing abortion rights in the state constitution. This resolution must pass in both the 2023 and 2025 sessions before appearing on the ballot in 2026 and does not require the governor's approval.

Additionally, in 2023, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed a law that codified existing protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers. This law bars state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada and ensures that medical boards will not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.

Nevada is one of the few states with a Republican governor to have enacted such protections for abortion patients and providers.

The state's abortion laws are supported by all parties, including Republicans

Nevada's abortion laws are supported by all parties, including Republicans. In 1990, Nevada voters approved Question 7, which upheld NRS 442.250, legalising abortion until 24 weeks, and prohibited the state legislature from amending or repealing the law without a direct vote from the people. This referendum passed with 63.47% of the vote.

In 2024, voters will decide whether to amend the Nevada Constitution to further protect abortion rights. The Reproductive Rights Amendment will appear on the ballot in November 2024 and November 2026, proposing to amend the state constitution to create the fundamental right to abortion until viability.

The state's abortion laws have support from both sides of the political spectrum. In May 2023, Nevada's Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, signed legislation to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers. The legislation codifies an existing executive order from former governor Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, which bars state agencies from assisting in out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. Lombardo's legislation also ensures that medical boards will not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.

Lombardo, who describes himself as "pro-life", was the only Republican to defeat a state Democratic incumbent in the last election. He originally said he would repeal Sisolak's executive order but later reversed his position, saying he would uphold it. This reversal was emphasised by Sisolak's campaign. In February 2023, Lombardo signalled that he would sign the bill, which does not add any further protections to Sisolak's executive order.

Lombardo's decision to sign the bill was praised by Democratic Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who sponsored the legislation. She thanked Lombardo for "following through on his commitment to ensuring that Nevada won't participate in prosecutions of women who come here to exercise their reproductive rights."

The bill passed with support from Democrats and Republicans. Two Republican women in the state Senate joined Democrats in supporting the bill. However, the Nevada Republican Party said it was "horrified" by the two Republicans' votes, exposing an intra-party rift about how to handle abortion legislation.

Nevada's abortion laws are supported by a majority of the state's population. In a 2014 poll by the Pew Research Center, 62% of adults said abortion should be legal, while 34% said it should be illegal in all or most cases.

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