Laws Which Took Effect Last Week
This past week, more than 100 new laws took effect. Under Article III, Section 27 of the Nebraska Constitution, no law shall take effect until three calendar months after the adjournment of the legislative session at which it passed, though the Legislature can move up the effective date of a law by a two-thirds of all the members elected. Since this year’s legislative session adjourned on June 3rd, this means over 100 new laws took effect on Wednesday, Sept. 3, in accordance with our state’s constitution. Several of these laws that go into effect include: LB41 which amends the state law relating to the testing of pregnant women for syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Previously, all physicians and legally authorized obstetric practitioners within the state were required to conduct syphilis testing on pregnant patients during the initial examination. Now, additional testing for syphilis is required to be completed at the third trimester examination and at birth. Additionally, LB41 provides that each pregnant woman shall be informed, in clear and understandable language, by the physician or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, that such testing is voluntary. The woman does have the option to decline the testing verbally or in writing; LB195 which expands the type of opioid overdose reversal medication that may be prescribed, dispensed, and administered with the same protections that were previously granted to Naloxone, also sometimes referred to as Narcan. This law increases the legal protections offered to emergency responders, medical professionals, and good samaritans who act in good faith and administer medication to someone suffering from an opioid overdose from substances like fentanyl or heroin; LB266 which prohibits political subdivisions, like counties or cities, from enacting ordinances which have the effect of imposing rent controls on private property. While no Nebraska city or county has imposed rent control, other states in the country, including California and New York, have legislatively or locally enacted forms of rent control; LB390 which requires each public school district prior to the 2026-2027 school year to implement a policy that ensures the parents or guardians of a student can access specific school library information. This policy must include an accessible online catalog of all books in the district’s libraries, organized by school and a notification system to inform parents or guardians when their student checks out a book, including the book’s title, author, and due date. The notification system can be in the form of a website, email, or phone app, although the ultimate form of such notices may differ by a district-by-district basis; and LB530, which, among other provisions, amends the state’s move-over law. Previously, the move-over law applied only to emergency and roadside assistance vehicles. Now, drivers will be required to slow down and move over (if reasonable to do so) when approaching all stopped vehicles and vulnerable road users on the side of the highway. A vulnerable road user includes pedestrians, bicyclists, people in crosswalks, and agricultural vehicles or equipment.
I invite you to let me know your thoughts or concerns. My Capitol office telephone number is (402) 471-2801 while my email is [email protected]. My mailing address is: Senator Barry DeKay, District #40, P.O. Box 94604, State Capitol, Lincoln, NE 68509.
