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LB 632

Require a health care facility to dispose of the remains of aborted unborn children

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ben Hansen

LB 632 requires facilities performing elective abortions to dispose of aborted remains by cremation or burial (or Board of Health-directed method), prohibiting other disposal.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 632

Summary — LB 632 (2025)

Require a health care facility to dispose of the remains of aborted unborn children

Main purpose

LB 632 requires health care facilities that perform elective abortions to provide for a “dignified and safe” disposition of the physical remains of aborted unborn children. The bill includes legislative purpose language stating the intent to protect public health and welfare and to express respect for the dignity of unborn children.

Key provisions

  • Definition: “Remains of an aborted unborn child” means the physical remains of an unborn child at any stage of gestation whose life has been terminated by an elective abortion.
  • Required disposition: A health care facility at which an elective abortion has been performed (and, per amendment AM616, “and completed”) must provide for individual disposition of the remains by:
    • cremation, or
    • interment by burial, or
    • if those are not possible, disposition as directed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (Board of Health).
  • Prohibition: It is unlawful for a covered health care facility to deposit or dispose of remains in any manner other than those provided by the bill.
  • Notice: The bill specifies that no notice of the method of disposition is required to be given to the woman upon whom the abortion was performed.
  • Legislative findings: Statement of purpose emphasizing public health, welfare, and respect for unborn children.

Amendments and clarification

  • AM616 (adopted by committee) inserts the phrase “and completed,” making the prohibition apply after an elective abortion is performed and completed.
  • Hansen AM1281 was filed on May 8, 2025 (status: amendment filed on Select File).

Who is affected

  • Primary: Health care facilities that perform elective abortions (clinics, hospitals, freestanding surgical centers).
  • Secondary: Facilities may need to contract with crematoriums, cemeteries, or mortuary services; potential administrative and financial impacts for providers.
  • Interested parties: Proponents include Nebraska Right to Life, Nebraska Family Alliance, Nebraska Catholic Conference; opponents include ACLU of Nebraska and Planned Parenthood North Central States (testified at the March 6, 2025 hearing).

Procedural and timeline highlights

  • Introduced by Sen. Ben Hansen (District 16) — first read January 22, 2025.
  • Health and Human Services Committee hearing: March 6, 2025; committee advanced LB 632 to General File with AM616 adopted.
  • Committee roll-call: Aye — Senators Hardin, Ballard, Hansen, Meyer, Riepe; Nay — Senator Fredrickson; Present Not Voting — Senator Quick.
  • Placed on General File (with AM616) March 14, 2025; advanced to Enrollment & Review and then Select File (ER49 filed April 22, 2025).
  • Multiple floor motions and amendments filed (Spivey motions to bracket/indefinitely postpone, Hansen motions to invoke cloture); as of May 8, 2025 Hansen AM1281 and several floor amendments were filed.

Implementation and open questions

  • The bill requires disposition methods but does not specify enforcement mechanisms, penalties, or funding to cover costs; those details would affect implementation.
  • The Board of Health is given a fallback role (“as directed by the Board of Health”) but no specific regulations are included in the bill text.

This summary is based on the introduced bill text, Committee Statement (Health & Human Services), adopted amendment AM616, and the legislative actions and filings through May 8, 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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