Nevada bill to protect abortion patients from prosecution elsewhere heads to governor’s desk

COURTESY IDAHO CAPITAL SUN

People traveling to Nevada for abortions may soon have an added layer of protection against attempts to prosecute them if a bill passed Monday by the Legislature is signed by Gov. Joe Lombardo.

The first-term Republican governor now has five days to sign or veto Senate Bill 131, which would prohibit the state of Nevada from assisting in the arrest or extradition of someone charged in another state for a crime related to reproductive health care services such as abortion, unless that crime is also a crime in Nevada. Abortion is legal in Nevada up to 24 weeks in pregnancy and beyond if the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

If Lombardo takes no action, the bill will automatically become law.

The bill also bars occupational boards from disciplining or disqualifying a medical provider because they have provided abortions or other reproductive health care services. SB 131 was spearheaded by Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, who on Saturday gave birth to her second child.

Shortly after the overturning of Roe v. Wade last June, Nevada abortion providers began reporting seeing more out-of-state patients, and anti-abortion rights advocates began pushing to expand abortion bans to include criminalizing traveling out of state for an abortion

Lombardo in a February interview with KNPR said any “changes in totality of the abortion question needs to be a vote of the people” but said of not cooperating with other states in their efforts to prosecute Nevada patients that “this particular item involving abortions, I could support if it stands on its own.”

SB 131 also instructs boards to consider the feasibility of reciprocal licensing for reproductive health providers from other states.

Lombardo on the gubernatorial campaign trail floundered on the issue of abortion rights, at one point saying he would rescind a Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak executive order that did what SB 131 would, then later saying he would keep that executive order in place until the Legislature took action.

That legislative action happened Monday, when the Assembly joined the Senate and passed SB 131. The 27-14 Assembly vote fell along party lines, with all Republicans opposing and one Democrat excused.

In the Senate, which passed the bill on April 19, Republican state Sens. Heidi Seevers Gansert and Carrie Buck voted with Democrats to pass the bill 15-6.

Abortion rights groups like NARAL Pro Choice America and Planned Parenthood have already released statements urging Lombardo to make good on his statement of support.

“Protections for our abortion providers and the patients who come to our state seeking care are a vitally important step in acknowledging the present national abortion access landscape and Nevada’s role as a safe haven state,” said Lindsey Harmon, executive director of Planned Parenthood Votes Nevada, in a statement.

As of Monday, Lombardo has signed just nine bills and vetoed three. The trio of vetoed bills related to gun control. Each passed the Legislature on party lines. One of the three bills, Senate Bill 171, which would bar people convicted of hate crimes from owning a firearm, has been reintroduced by the Legislature and flagged for ‘special order of business’ on May 29.

More from Magic 97.9

Memorial Day Weekend the beginning of 100 Deadliest Days

Memorial Day Weekend the beginning of 100 Deadliest Days

With the Memorial Day weekend, and the start of the summer driving season here, AAA is reminding drivers to stay safe behind the wheel. The 100 Deadliest Days, the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day when fatal crashes spike on Idaho roads each year, is cause for concern. According to preliminary data from the…

Boise property taxes set to go down

Boise property taxes set to go down

For the first time since the years after the Great Recession, city officials project that Boise homeowners will see decreases in their property taxes. Boise budget director Eric Bilimoria said during a presentation Tuesday, the proposed budget — which includes a 2% base tax increase, rather than the allowable 3% — would result in an…

Boise cemeteries open to all during Memorial Day Weekend

Boise cemeteries open to all during Memorial Day Weekend

Cemetery staff will be available to help the public locate grave sites Saturday through Monday at Boise’s Morris Hill Cemetery in observance of Memorial Day. In honor of Memorial Day, the public will be able to place wreaths, flags and flowers at grave sites at Morris Hill Cemetery, Pioneer Cemetery, and Fort Boise Military Reserve…

Mike Masterson announces campaign for Boise Mayor

Mike Masterson announces campaign for Boise Mayor

He was once the police chief in Boise. Now he wants to be mayor. Mike Masterson officially announced his campaign at the Boise Depot Tuesday joined by supporters. Among the most prominent was veteran city council member and retired Democratic State Senator Maryanne Jordan. Masterson retired as Boise Police Chief in 2015 after leading the…

Boise Police arrest “Scooter Looter” on burglary charges

Boise Police arrest “Scooter Looter” on burglary charges

Boise Police Department has taken down the man they are calling the “Scooter Looter.” BPD Organized Retail Crime Unit has recovered roughly $38,000 in stolen merchandise by a suspect on a scooter. Investigators worked with retail partners across the Treasure Valley after learning that the suspect had entered several stores on a motorized scooter, concealed…

AAA reminder about dangers children and pets in hot cars

AAA reminder about dangers children and pets in hot cars

With temperatures rising across the state, AAA is reminding drivers about the dangers of leaving children and pets in hot cars. On average, a child dies every seven days from being left in a hot car, with many more emergencies and hospitalizations in addition to that number. AAA Idaho spokesman Matthew Conde said a child’s…

Boise man sentenced for first-degree murder of four-month-old son

Boise man sentenced for first-degree murder of four-month-old son

A Boise man has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his four-month-old son. Thomas Rowley will be eligible for parole in 25 years. The Ada County Prosecutor’s Office says Rowley was found to have severely shaken his son Milo before dropping him face first in his crib, causing him to suffer…