Lincoln, NE— 1.22.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB501, a bill that would require insurers in Nebraska to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization procedures. With the current cost of in vitro fertilization for an uninsured patient reaching as high as $15,000 per procedure, it remains out of reach for many middle and lower-income Nebraska couples struggling to become parents. Currently, fifteen states have passed legislation requiring insurers to offer coverage for infertility treatment.
Lincoln, NE— 1.22.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB502, legislation that would limit the ability of law enforcement to inquire about the immigration status of individuals unless required by state or federal law. The purpose of the Limited Immigration Inquiry Act is to improve public safety by removing barriers that discourage immigrants from reporting crimes. According to a nationwide survey of prosecutors conducted by the ACLU and the National Immigrant Women's Advocacy Project (NIWAP), fears of deportation and immigration consequences have caused some immigrants to stop reporting crimes such as domestic violence, theft, and child abuse.
Lincoln, NE— 1.22.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB555, 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.
Lincoln, NE— 1.17.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB400, a bill to increase the “tip wage” for Nebraskan workers for the first time in 28 years, to 50% of the state minimum wage. The new wage would take effect on January 1, 2020, and would initially increase the wage to $3.60 per hour, and then to $4.50 per hour on January 1, 2021. “Nebraska’s ‘tip wage’ ranks significantly behind our neighboring states and leads many Nebraskans to seek employment and opportunities in other states,” Hunt said. “Colorado, Iowa and South Dakota all have a higher ‘tip wage’ than Nebraska. But the ‘tip wage’ in the Cornhusker State has been $2.13 an hour since 1991 – even as inflation continues to rise.”
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Senator Megan Hunt Introduces Legislation to Ban Conversion Therapy for Minors in Nebraska
Lincoln, NE— 1.11.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB168 and LB167 to ban the practice of conversion therapy for youth. LB168 classifies the practice as child abuse and LB167 bans organizations from advertising or providing conversion therapy to individuals under eighteen years of age.
Lincoln, NE— 1.11.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB163 to allow polling precincts in all Nebraska counties to administer their elections using a vote by mail standard. Currently, counties with populations greater than 10,000 do not have the option of conducting vote by mail elections. Senator Hunt’s proposed legislation would remove this population cap, expanding local control and allowing 26 Nebraska counties to assess their own needs and make decisions informed by local data.
Lincoln, NE— 1.11.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB169, legislation that increases access to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Under current statute, an individual with three or more felony convictions for possession or use of controlled substances is ineligible to receive SNAP benefits. LB169 removes this restriction. The bill also allows people with three or more felony convictions for the use of a controlled substance to qualify for SNAP if they participate in a substance abuse program. The intent of the bill is to remove a major barrier to successful reintegration for formerly incarcerated people, while also reducing hunger for individuals and their families that are affected.
Lincoln, NE— 1.11.19 — Today Senator Megan Hunt introduced LB170, legislation that would exempt menstrual hygiene products such as pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and other comparable products from state sales and use taxes. Taxes on these products are often referred to as the “tampon tax.” People who menstruate are more likely to be low-income earners or experience homelessness, and for this population a tax on menstrual products can be burdensome or even prohibitive. This legislation would make menstrual products a little more accessible to those that need them.
