Senator Megan Hunt Introduces Bill to Provide Emergency Contraception to Sexual Assault Survivors

Lincoln, NE— 1.22.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LBX, a bill to require emergency rooms to provide information about emergency contraception to all victims of sexual assault, and to dispense emergency contraception immediately upon request. Emergency contraception refers to a concentrated dose of hormone found in many regular birth control pills that can prevent pregnancy when taken shortly after unprotected intercourse. It does not cause abortion.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia require hospital emergency rooms to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault victims. The American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians recommend that physicians provide sexual assault survivors with emergency contraception upon request.

“Survivors of sexual assault are forced or manipulated into participating in unwanted sexual activity. That’s why it is crucial that Nebraska’s emergency rooms—often the first place victims of sexual violence turn to for help—provide comprehensive and compassionate care to these patients,” Hunt said. “Going through the experience of sexual assault is traumatic enough. It’s time for Nebraska to stand with sexual assault survivors and help them gain access to care they need as they begin to heal.”