Five reproductive rights bills were sent to Gov. Joe Lombardo’s desk—here’s what they’d do

Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, has a choice to make very soon—break with many Republicans across the country and sign reproductive freedom legislation into law in Nevada, or veto the legislation and risk the ire of Nevadans.

Five reproductive freedom bills recently moved out of the Nevada Legislature and were sent to Lombardo’s desk. The bills do a variety of things, from protecting the information of people who prescribe abortion medication and work in reproductive health care facilities, to automatically allowing all students access to sex education unless their parents opt them out.

Here’s a breakdown of each bill:

AB 176, the “Right to Contraception Act,” would protect access to contraception in Nevada by prohibiting state and local governments from adding burdens to accessing contraceptives and family planning services.

If signed by the governor, it would also allow Nevadans to sue the government if that right is violated.

It passed both chambers unanimously.

Lombardo signed the bill into law on June 3.

AB 205 would change how students receive sex education in public schools. Right now, schools are required to give parents or guardians a content form to participate in a sex ed course. It is “opt-in.”

If AB 205 becomes law, students would be automatically included in sex ed, and parents or guardians would have to sign a form to opt them out.

It passed the senate and assembly along party-line votes.

Lombardo vetoed the bill on June 2.

AB 235 would protect employees and volunteers of reproductive health care facilities.

It would allow them to request a court order to make their personal information confidential or redacted in public records.

Nevada already allows people like judges and politicians to file those court orders. AB 235 would extend those protections to reproductive health care facilities and places that provide gender-affirming care.

One Republican in the senate and six in the assembly joined Democrats in voting for the bill.

Lombardo signed the bill into law on May 29.

AB 266 would create a public information campaign on the benefits of breastfeeding, and prohibit public spaces or businesses that allow the public to come in from denying access to someone who is breastfeeding.

It would also require the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to post educational material online about Medicaid coverage for breastfeeding.

The bill passed along unanimously in both chambers. Three Republicans in the assembly and senate voted against it.

AB 266 was signed into law on May 30.

AB 411 is another bill that protects health care providers. It would allow abortion providers to have their practice name, rather than their individual name, appear on prescription labels for abortion medications.

Lombardo can either sign the bills into law, veto them, or allow them to become law without a signature. Bills automatically become law if they are not signed or vetoed 10 days after reaching the governor’s desk.

AB 411 passed both chambers along party-line votes.

Lombardo vetoed AB 411 on June 5.

Follow The Nevadan for news on which bills Lombardo signs into law, and which bills he vetoes.