The following is a list of Voices for Children’s priority legislation for the 105th legislature.

To view the 2017 Sine Die Legislative Update click here.

To contact your state senator click here.

Child Welfare

LB 107: Prohibit sexual assault of a patient, client, or student as prescribed
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Referred to Judiciary
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 107 Letter of Support.

LB 108: Require guidelines to ensure safety of minor or dependent whose parent or guardian is arrested
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 108 Testimony.

LB 180: Provide for bridge orders transferring juvenile court jurisdiction of a juvenile to a district court
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: Signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 180 Letter of Support.

LB 189: Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services for recruitment and retention of caseworkers
Introducer: Senator Sara Howard
Status: Referred to Appropriations Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 189 Testimony.

LB 225: Change provisions relating to alternative response to a report of child abuse or neglect and provide duties for the Department of Health and Human Services
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 225 Testimony.

LB 226: Provide for purchase of motor vehicles and insurance by certain juveniles, change foster care transition proposal provisions, and provide immunity from liability for caregivers
Introducer: Senator Anna Wishart
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Letter of Support.

LB 334: Change Department of Health and Human Services provisions relating to families
Introducer: Senator Merv Riepe
Status: Indefinitely Postponed
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 334 Testimony.

LB 411: Change provisions relating to placement of siblings
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here to read our LB 411 Letter of Support.

LB 417: Change and eliminate provisions relating to public health and welfare
Introducer: Senator Merv Riepe
Status: Signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 417 Testimony.

LB 428: Require schools and the State Department of Education to Adopt policies relating to pregnant and parenting students
Introducer: Senator Tony Vargas
Status: Provisions of LB 428 were amended into LB 427 and Signed by Governor on May 8, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 428 Testimony.

LB 456: Provide for supportive services for disabled parents in family and dependency matters
Introducer: Senator Tom Briese
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 456 Letter of Support.

LB 589: Provide for depositions of a child victim or child witness
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 589 Letter of Support.

Agency 25, DHHS Division of Children and Family Services Appropriations for FY 2017-19
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony.

Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice

LB 6: Provide for the release of a summarized report by the office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Provisions of LB 6 were amended into LB 207 and signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 6 and LB 207 Letter of Support.

LB 207: Chang provisions relating to powers and duties of the Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 6 and LB 207 Letter of Support.

LB 298: Change provisions relating to the Nebraska Strengthening Families Act and a task force
Introducer: Senator Roy Baker
Status: Provisions of LB 298 were amended into LB 225 and signed by Governor on April 27, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 298 Testimony.

LB 552: Provide for the Children’s Connection program
Introducer: Senator Lynne Walz
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 552 Letter of Support.

Juvenile Justice

LB 8: Provide for graduated response sanctions and incentives relating to juvenile probation
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Signed by Governor on 3/29/17
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 8 Testimony.

LB 11: Change provisions relating to transfer of juvenile cases
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Signed by Governor on 3/29/17
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 11 Testimony.

LB 158: Change provisions relating to appointment of counsel for juveniles
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: Motion to invoke cloture on a filibuster of the bill fell short by 2 votes, 31-8-4 (April 18, 2018)
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 158 Testimony.

LB 179: Change provisions relating to transition of young adults to independence
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 179 Testimony.

LB 516: Change provisions relating to a report on juvenile facilities
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 516 Letter of Support.

LB 556: Change provisions relating to firearms and create the offenses of use of a facsimile or nonfunctioning firearm to commit a felony and possession of a firearm by a prohibited juvenile offender
Introducer: Senator Steve Halloran
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 556 Testimony.

LB 560: Change restrictive housing and inmate discipline provisions
Introducer: Senator Paul Schumacher
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 560 Letter of Support.

LB 595: Provide for the use of physical force or physical restraint or removal from a class in response to student behavior
Introducer: Senator Mike Groene
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 595 Testimony.

Economic Stability

LB 69: Increase the earned income tax credit
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: Referred to Revenue Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 69 Testimony.

LB 145: Provide for a hearing to determine financial ability to pay fines and costs and traffic citations and provide for community service
Introducer: Senator Matt Hansen
Status: Provisions of LB 145 were amended into LB 259 and signed by the Governor on May 12, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 145 Letter of Support.

LB 194: Change provisions of the Credit Services Organization Act, Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act, and Nebraska Installment Loan Act
Introducer: Senator Tony Vargas
Status: Approved by the Governor on April 23, 2018
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 194 Letter of Support.

LB 211: Change the minimum wage for persons compensated by way of gratuities
Introducer: Senator Matt Hansen
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 211 Letter of Support.

LB 224: Change asset limitation provisions relating to public assistance
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 224 Testimony.

LB 260: Provide for a state food insecurity nutrition incentive grant program and state intent regarding appropriations
Introducer: Senator Matt Hansen
Status: Referred to Agriculture Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 260 Letter of Support.

LB 286: Adopt the Nebraska Flexible Loan Act and change provisions of the Delayed Deposit Services Licensing Act
Introducer: Senator Joni Craighead
Status: Referred to Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 286 Testimony.

LB 305: Adopt the Paid Family Medical Leave Insurance Act
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Referred to Business and Labor Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 305 Testimony.

LB 311: Eliminate an eligibility provision relating to nutrition assistance benefits as prescribed
Introducer: Senator Adam Morfeld
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 311 Testimony.

LB 337: Change income tax rates and provide for deferrals of the rate changes
Introducer: Senator Jim Smith
Status: Referred to Revenue Committee
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 337 Testimony.

LB 358: Change income eligibility provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Introducer: Senator John McCollister
Status: Failed to Advance to E & R Initial
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 358 Testimony.

LB 372: Provide protections for employees with family care responsibilities under the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Referred to Business and Labor Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 372 Testimony.

LB 373: Change and eliminate revenue and taxation provisions
Introducer: Senator Paul Schumacher
Status: Referred to Revenue Committee
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 373 Letter of Opposition.

LB 420: Adopt the Fair Chance Hiring Act
Introducer: Senator John McCollister
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 420 Testimony.

LB 438: Increase cigarette and tobacco taxes as prescribed and provide for the distribution of funds
Introducer: Senator Sara Howard
Status: Referred to Revenue Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 438 Letter of Support.

LB 521: Change provisions related to early childhood education in the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act
Introducer: Senator Lynne Walz
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 521 Letter of Support.

LB 537: Provide for drug screening for applicants and recipients of cash assistance
Introducer: Senator Dan Hughes
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 537 Testimony.

LR 26: Oppose any federal action that would rescind Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
Introducer: Senator Tony Vargas
Status: Signed by President/Speaker
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LR 26 Letter of Support.

AM 707 to LB 233: Change Revenue and Taxation Provisions
Introducer: Senator Jim Smith
Status: LB 233 on General File, AM 707 Withdrawn on April 25, 2016
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click here for Voices for Children’s AM 707 Letter of Opposition.

Health

LB 235: Clarify grant requirements for the Summer Food Service
Introducer: Senator Lynne Walz
Status: Provisions of LB 235 were amended into LB 512 and signed by governor on May 22, 2017
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 235 Testimony.

LB 441: Change eligibility provisions under the Medical Assistance Act
Introducer: Senator Adam Morfeld
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s LB 441 Letter of Support.