Nevada’s Republican governor enshrines abortion protections

Joe Lombardo had said on campaign trail that he would respect will of voters who codified abortion rights in 1990 referendum

The governor of Nevada, Joe Lombardo, on Tuesday became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western state to the list of those passing laws to solidify their status as safe havens for abortion patients.

The legislation codifies an executive order from Steve Sisolak - the Democrat Lombardo beat for the governor's mansion last year - that bars state agencies from assisting out-of-state investigations that could lead to the prosecution of abortion patients who travel to Nevada. It also ensures medical boards and commissions that oversee medical licenses do not discipline or disqualify doctors who provide abortions.