LINCOLN — All abortions would be banned in Nebraska if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade under a bill introduced Monday in the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 933, introduced by State Sens. Joni Albrecht of Thurston and Mike Flood of Norfolk is a “trigger bill.”

Like similar laws passed in a dozen other states, it would take effect only if a ruling by the nation’s high court, adoption of a U.S. constitutional amendment, or passage of a federal law gives states full power to regulate abortions.

States’ authority is currently limited by past court rulings that declared abortion to be a constitutional right.

If triggered, LB 933 would make it a felony for anyone to provide any medication or undertake any procedure with the intent of ending the life of an unborn child, defined as an “individual living member of the species homo sapiens ... from fertilization to full gestation and childbirth.”

The woman undergoing an abortion would not be considered in violation of the law.

The bill would not provide exemptions but would allow licensed physicians charged under the law to use as a defense that the abortion was necessary to prevent the woman’s death or serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ.

The measure is the second proposal aimed at ending or sharply curtailing abortions in Nebraska. LB 781, introduced by Sen. Julie Slama of Sterling, would ban abortions after a so-called fetal heartbeat can be detected. That usually occurs at about six weeks gestation, before most women are aware that they are pregnant.

The Supreme Court is expected to announce a ruling on abortion in June.

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