Change provisions relating to blood tests for pregnant women
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LB 41 — Change provisions relating to blood tests for pregnant women
Last action — Approved by Governor on April 9, 2025
No card. One bill, free forever — alerts when it moves.
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed Legislature
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✓To Executive
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5Enacted
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2025. Enacted.
Signed by Governor Jim Pillen (Republican) on April 10, 2025.
Prognosis
Where this bill stands today.
Odds of enactment
HighHow often bills like it became law.
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Enacted
Current position in the legislative process.
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2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
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Mixed recorded votes
2 passed, 3 failed in recorded votes so far.
Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
66 added · 5 removedPlain-language change summary
The updated version of Bill LB 41 includes a provision that requires physicians to take blood samples from pregnant women at specific times: during the first examination, in the third trimester, and at birth, for syphilis testing. This change emphasizes the importance of early detection of communicable diseases, which can impact both maternal and child health. Additionally, there is a clarification regarding payment for these tests, ensuring that pregnant women are informed about their costs. These amendments aim to improve health outcomes by promoting preventive care during pregnancy.
ER11 ER11 LB41 LB41 MLU2025 -LEGISLATIVE 02/18/2025BILL MLU41 -Approved 02/18/2025by Ethe ANDGovernor RApril AMENDMENTS9, TO2025 LB 41 Introduced by Guereca,Riepe, 7,12; Chairman Enrollment and Review 1. On page 1, line 3, strike "requirements" and insert "provisions".
Cavanaugh, M., 6;
DeBoer, 10;
Raybould, 28;
Quick, 35.
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to communicable diseases;
to amend section 71-502.03, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska;
to change provisions relating to blood tests for pregnant women;
to state intent regarding payment for certain blood tests;
and to repeal the original section.
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska, Section 1.
Section 71-502.03, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is amended to read:
71-502.03 (1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, every Every physician, or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, who is attending a pregnant woman in the state for conditions relating to her pregnancy during the period of gestation or at delivery shall take, or shall direct an authorized person to take, cause to be taken a sample of the blood of such woman at the time of the first examination, third trimester examination, and birth and shall submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.
Every other person permitted by law to attend pregnant women in the state, but not permitted by law to take blood samples, shall direct cause such a sample of the blood of such pregnant women to be taken by a physician, duly licensed to practice either medicine and surgery or obstetrics, or other person authorized by law to take such sample of blood and have such sample submitted to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.
(2) 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 test is voluntary and may be declined verbally or in writing.
(3) The results of all such laboratory tests shall be reported to the Department of Health and Human Services on standard forms prescribed and furnished by the department.
For the purpose of this section, a standard serological test shall be a test for syphilis approved by the department and shall be made at a laboratory approved to make such tests by the department.
Such laboratory tests, as are required by this section, shall be made on request at the Department of Health and Human Services Laboratory.
A fee may be established by rule and regulation by the department to defray no more than the actual cost of such tests.
Such fee shall be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the Health and Human Services Cash Fund.
In reporting every birth and stillbirth, physicians and others required to make such reports shall state on the portion of the certificate entitled For Medical and Health Use Only whether a blood test for syphilis has been made upon a specimen of blood taken from the woman who bore the child for which a birth or stillbirth certificate is filed and the approximate date when the specimen was taken.
No birth certificate shall show the result of such test.
If no test was made, the reason shall be stated.
The department shall provide the necessary clerical, printing, and other expenses in carrying out this section.
(4)(a) Subject to subdivision (4)(b) of this section, every (2) Every physician or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics who is attending a pregnant woman in the state for conditions relating to her pregnancy during the period of gestation shall administer or cause to be administered a test of the pregnant woman’s blood for the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus infection unless the pregnant woman has given written informed consent that she does not want to be tested.
(b) The pregnant woman shall be informed, in clear and understandable language, by the physician or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, that such test is voluntary and may be declined verbally or in writing.
Sec.
2.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the cost of a serological test for syphilis pursuant to section 71-502.03 for an individual covered under the Medical Assistance Act, when such test was not covered under the act prior to the effective date of this act, shall be paid from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund pursuant to section 68-996 and federal funds.
Sec.
3.
Original section 71-502.03, Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska, is repealed.
AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.
The bill amends existing law to change the requirements and intent related to blood tests for syphilis and HIV for pregnant women.
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71-502.03
Every Every physician, or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, who is attending a pregnant woman in the state for conditions relating to her pregnancy during the period of gestation or at delivery shall take, or shall direct an authorized person to take, cause to be taken a sample of the blood of such woman at the time of the first examination, third trimester examination, and birth and shall submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.→ Every physician, or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, who is attending a pregnant woman in the state for conditions relating to her pregnancy during the period of gestation or at delivery shall take, or shall direct an authorized person to take, a sample of the blood of such woman at the time of the first examination, third trimester examination, and birth and shall submit such sample to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.The redundant wording is removed to clarify the requirement for physicians to conduct blood tests for syphilis.
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71-502.03
Every other person permitted by law to attend pregnant women in the state, but not permitted by law to take blood samples, shall direct cause such a sample of the blood of such pregnant women to be taken by a physician, duly licensed to practice either medicine and surgery or obstetrics, or other person authorized by law to take such sample of blood and have such sample submitted to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.→ Every other person permitted by law to attend pregnant women in the state, but not permitted by law to take blood samples, shall direct that a sample of the blood of such pregnant women be taken by a physician, duly licensed to practice either medicine and surgery or obstetrics, or other person authorized by law to take such sample of blood and have such sample submitted to an approved laboratory for a standard serological test for syphilis.The wording is modified to correct grammatical errors and improve clarity regarding directions for blood sample collection.
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71-502.03
The pregnant woman shall be informed, in clear and understandable language, by the physician or other person authorized by law to practice obstetrics, that such test is voluntary and may be declined verbally or in writing.→ 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 test is voluntary and may be declined verbally or in writing.The change clarifies that each pregnant woman must be informed about the testing process.
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71-502.03
and shall be made at a laboratory approved to make such tests by the department.→ and shall be made at a laboratory approved by the department to conduct such tests.The language is modified for clarity on lab approval for conducting tests.
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71-502.03
Such laboratory tests, as are required by this section, shall be made on request at the Department of Health and Human Services Laboratory.→ Such laboratory tests required by this section shall be made upon request at the Department of Health and Human Services Laboratory.The wording is streamlined for clarity regarding where tests can be conducted.
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71-502.03
No birth certificate shall show the result of such test.This deletion removes the clause detailing the reporting of test results on birth certificates.
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It is the intent of the Legislature that the cost of a serological test for syphilis pursuant to section 71-502.03 for an individual covered under the Medical Assistance Act, when such test was not covered under the act prior to the effective date of this act, shall be paid from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund pursuant to section 68-996 and federal funds.
This addition establishes the intent regarding payment for serological tests under certain conditions.
Action History
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Approved by Governor on April 9, 2025
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Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2
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President/Speaker signed
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Presented to Governor on April 3, 2025
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Placed on Final Reading Second
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Returned to Select File for specific amendment
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Riepe AM637 adopted
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Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Reengrossment
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Riepe AM637 filed
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Placed on Final Reading
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Enrollment and Review ER11 adopted
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Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
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Placed on Select File with ER11
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Enrollment and Review ER11 filed
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Health and Human Services AM62 adopted
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Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
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Placed on General File with AM62
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Health and Human Services AM62 filed
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Quick name added
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Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
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Notice of hearing for January 23, 2025
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Date of introduction
Sponsors
- Merv Riepe · Primary
- Dan Quick · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 47 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
Co-sponsors (1)
Not signed on (47)
47 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 47 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 47 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 47 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 96% | 0% | 0% | 4% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McKeon | — | Yea |
| Meyer | — | Yea |
| Ashlei Spivey | — | Yea |
| Barry DeKay | — | Yea |
| Beau Ballard | — | Yea |
| Ben Hansen | — | Yea |
| Bob Andersen | — | Yea |
| Bob Hallstrom | — | Yea |
| Brian Hardin | — | Yea |
| Carolyn Bosn | — | Yea |
| Christy Armendariz | — | Yea |
| Dan Lonowski | — | Yea |
| Dan Quick | — | Yea |
| Danielle Conrad | — | Yea |
| Dave Murman | — | Yea |
| Dave Wordekemper | — | Yea |
| Dunixi Guereca | — | Not Voting |
| Eliot Bostar | — | Yea |
| George Dungan | — | Yea |
| Jana Hughes | — | Yea |
| Jane Raybould | — | Yea |
| Jared Storm | — | Yea |
| Jason Prokop | — | Yea |
| John Arch | — | Yea |
| John Cavanaugh | — | Yea |
| John Fredrickson | — | Yea |
| Kathleen Kauth | — | Yea |
| Loren Lippincott | — | Yea |
| Machaela Cavanaugh | — | Yea |
| Margo Juarez | — | Yea |
| Megan Hunt | — | Yea |
| Merv Riepe | — | Yea |
| Mike Jacobson | — | Yea |
| Mike Moser | — | Yea |
| Myron Dorn | — | Yea |
| Paul Strommen | — | Yea |
| R. Brad von Gillern | — | Yea |
| Rick Holdcroft | — | Yea |
| Rita Sanders | — | Yea |
| Robert Clements | — | Yea |
| Robert Dover | — | Yea |
| Stan Clouse | — | Yea |
| Tanya Storer | — | Yea |
| Teresa Ibach | — | Yea |
| Terrell McKinney | — | Not Voting |
| Tom Brandt | — | Yea |
| Tony Sorrentino | — | Yea |
| Victor Rountree | — | Yea |
| Wendy DeBoer | — | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 44 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 0% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (49)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 44 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Total | 44 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 90% | 0% | 0% | 10% |
How each member voted (49)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 43 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Total | 43 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| % of votes cast | 88% | 0% | 0% | 12% |
How each member voted (49)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unaffiliated | 46 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 46 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 94% | 0% | 0% | 6% |
How each member voted (49)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| McKeon | — | Yea |
| Meyer | — | Yea |
| Ashlei Spivey | — | Yea |
| Barry DeKay | — | Yea |
| Beau Ballard | — | Yea |
| Ben Hansen | — | Yea |
| Bob Andersen | — | Yea |
| Bob Hallstrom | — | Yea |
| Brian Hardin | — | Yea |
| Carolyn Bosn | — | Yea |
| Christy Armendariz | — | Yea |
| Dan Lonowski | — | Yea |
| Dan Quick | — | Yea |
| Danielle Conrad | — | Yea |
| Dave Murman | — | Yea |
| Dave Wordekemper | — | Yea |
| Dunixi Guereca | — | Yea |
| Eliot Bostar | — | Yea |
| George Dungan | — | Yea |
| Jana Hughes | — | Yea |
| Jane Raybould | — | Not Voting |
| Jared Storm | — | Yea |
| Jason Prokop | — | Yea |
| John Arch | — | Yea |
| John Cavanaugh | — | Yea |
| John Fredrickson | — | Yea |
| Kathleen Kauth | — | Yea |
| Loren Lippincott | — | Yea |
| Machaela Cavanaugh | — | Yea |
| Margo Juarez | — | Not Voting |
| Megan Hunt | — | Yea |
| Merv Riepe | — | Yea |
| Mike Jacobson | — | Yea |
| Mike Moser | — | Yea |
| Myron Dorn | — | Yea |
| Paul Strommen | — | Yea |
| R. Brad von Gillern | — | Yea |
| Rick Holdcroft | — | Yea |
| Rita Sanders | — | Yea |
| Robert Clements | — | Yea |
| Robert Dover | — | Yea |
| Stan Clouse | — | Yea |
| Tanya Storer | — | Yea |
| Teresa Ibach | — | Yea |
| Terrell McKinney | — | Yea |
| Tom Brandt | — | Yea |
| Tony Sorrentino | — | Yea |
| Victor Rountree | — | Yea |
| Wendy DeBoer | — | Not Voting |
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- Who sponsors LB 41?
- LB 41 is sponsored by Merv Riepe and Dan Quick.
- What is the current status of LB 41?
- This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced January 09, 2025. Enacted.
- Where can I track LB 41?
- Track LB 41 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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