Policy Agenda
Child Welfare
Voices for Children advocates for policies that empower families, build more resilient communities, and prevent child abuse and neglect. Our efforts focus on creating a more effective child welfare system that strengthens the well-being of Nebraska’s children and their families at every stage.
2025 Policy Agenda
Below is a list of Voices for Children’s priority child welfare legislation for the 109th Legislature, first session. We will provide live updates on these bills throughout the session and you can find links to each bill’s landing page below. You can also watch the Nebraska Legislature Live, where you will have direct access to active committee and legislative hearings, as well as scheduled live streams.
Want to make a difference for Nebraska kids? Get involved by reaching out to us or contacting your state senator.
Other Policy Focus Areas:
2025 Priority Legislation: Child Welfare
Adopt the Family Home Visitation Act
Introducer: Senator Raybould
Status: Placed on General File
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Provide for benefits under the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act for young adults not lawfully present in the United States
Introducer: Senator M. Cavanaugh
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Require suicide awareness and prevention training for employees of child-placing agencies and child welfare workers
Introducer: Senator Fredrickson
Status: Placed on General File
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Require the State Department of Education to create a centralized education records system and employ registrars relating to students under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and change provisions relating to graduation requirements and the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund
Introducer: Speaker Arch
Status: Approved by Governor on March 11, 2025
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Provide for the Division of Legislative Oversight, the Director of Legislative Oversight, and the Legislative Oversight Committee and change provisions relating to the Public Counsel, the office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare, and the office of Inspector General of the Nebraska Correctional System
Introducer: Speaker Arch
Status: Referred to Executive Board
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Establish the Nebraska Youth in Care Bill of Rights
Introducer: Senator Hunt
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Change reporting requirements relating to child abuse or neglect, parental rights, and juvenile court jurisdiction
Introducer: Senator McKinney
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Legislative Resources
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