Policy Agenda
Juvenile Justice
Voices for Children advocates for holding youth accountable in ways that are fair and developmentally appropriate. Through our work, we strive to promote community safety while helping young people grow into responsible citizens.
2026 Policy Agenda
Below is a list of Voices for Children’s priority juvenile justice legislation for the 109th Legislature, second 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:
2026 Priority Legislation: Juvenile Justice
Require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a program to provide behavioral health care services to individuals under twenty-one years of age
Introducer: Senator Bostar
Status: Referred to Health and Human Services Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Provide a cause of action against certain adults for allowing a minor to possess a handgun and create an offense of leaving a loaded firearm in a location accessible to a minor
Introducer: J. Cavanaugh
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Adopt the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act
Introducer: McKinney
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Require appointment of counsel for juveniles and provide duties for juvenile courts
Introducer: Rountree
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Prohibit the use of shackling or restraints on juveniles
Introducer: Rountree
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Prohibit school resource officers and security guards from using corporal punishment
Introducer: Dungan
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Eliminate the prohibition regarding suspending a student that is in prekindergarten through second grade
Introducer: Education Committee
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Create the Nebraska Youth Pre-Apprentice Conservation Program, provide powers and duties to the Game and Parks Commission, and transfer funds from the Workforce Development Program Cash Fund
Introducer: Spivey
Status: Introduced 01/20/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Change provisions relating to reports by a school district relating to absences of a child from school
Introducer: Conrad
Status: Introduced 01/20/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Change provisions relating to legislative oversight
Introducer: Dorn
Status: Introduced 01/20/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Change provisions of Nebraska Juvenile Code relating to expedited appeals of motions to transfer to county or district court
Introducer: Raybould
Status: Introduced 01/21/2026
Voices for Children Position: Support
Legislative Resources
Make your voice heard. Whether you’re reaching out
to your representative, exploring the latest data, or
you’re a young advocate looking to make a difference,
our resources can help you take action.