Pillen vetoes Nebraska child sexual assault and abuse proposal • Nebraska Examiner

Gov. Jim Pillen Vetoes Legislation on Child Sexual Assault Claims

Gov. Jim Pillen of Nebraska vetoed legislation on Wednesday that would have allowed new lawsuits against school districts or other political subdivisions if they failed to act on suspected claims of child sexual assault or abuse.

Pillen’s Veto and Other Signed Bills

Pillen announced his signatures of 10 other bills, including the state’s replacement “school choice” law, and the veto of Legislative Bill 25 from State Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha.

The governor stated that LB 25 was “overly broad” and would “substantially erode” decades-old sovereign immunity protections for political subdivisions. He also argued that the proposal would establish “a new body of law” and increase taxpayer costs.

“We must hold perpetrators accountable and protect children from abuse by enforcing the criminal laws that exist and by targeting the wrongdoer,” Pillen said in his veto letter. “Taxpayers should not bear this burden.”

Lawmakers voted 28-17 to pass LB 25 during the final legislative day, but because senators adjourned that day, they don’t have a chance to override the veto, which requires 30 votes.

A ‘Travesty of Justice’

Under Wayne’s bill, survivors or their families could have sued political units, such as school districts, if they had knowledge of suspected abuse but failed to investigate that information. The harm would need to be a “proximate result” of the subdivision’s failure or an employee’s failure to exercise “reasonable care” for a child in their care or custody. Remedies would have been capped at $1 million.

“Nothing is going to make these individuals completely whole,” Wayne told the Nebraska Examiner earlier this month. “We’re just trying to provide the best remedy we can under the law.”

During debate, lawmakers stripped LB 25 of its contents and replaced it with a version of legislation from State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings, LB 341.

Wayne described the veto as a “travesty of justice” as Nebraska’s governmental units continue to receive more protections than victims. He said Pillen chose “the shadow of bureaucracy over justice for children.”

“If the Governor is afraid that the liability for holding government accountable would cost too much, then it begs the question, how many children are being sexually assaulted at the hands of government negligence?” Wayne asked.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The article discusses legislation related to child sexual assault or abuse and the accountability of school districts and political subdivisions. This issue is connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

2. Specific Targets Under SDG 16 Based on the Article’s Content:

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels

The article highlights the need to hold perpetrators accountable for child sexual assault and abuse. This aligns with Target 16.2, which aims to end all forms of violence against children. Additionally, the article discusses the role of political subdivisions and the need for transparency and accountability, which relates to Target 16.6.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator 16.2.1: Number of victims of child sexual assault or abuse
• Indicator 16.6.2: Existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles

The article mentions the potential lawsuits against political subdivisions for failing to act on suspected claims of child sexual assault or abuse. The number of victims of child sexual assault or abuse can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards Target 16.2. Additionally, the article discusses the need for effective and accountable institutions, which can be measured by the existence of independent national human rights institutions in compliance with the Paris Principles (Indicator 16.6.2).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: nebraskaexaminer.com

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