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.
2025 Policy Agenda
Below is a list of Voices for Children’s priority juvenile justice 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: Juvenile Justice
Exempt individuals under nineteen years of age from payment of certain court costs and fees and change provisions of the Nebraska Juvenile Code
Introducer: Senator DeBoer
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Eliminate the prohibition on suspending a student in prekindergarten through second grade
Introducer: Senator Hansen
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children’s Position: Oppose
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Change provisions relating to reports on student achievement and discipline required under the Quality Education Accountability Act
Introducer: Senator Ballard
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to read Voices for Children’s position.
Change provisions relating to unlawful possession of a firearm by a prohibited juvenile offender and sealed records
Introducer: Senator DeKay
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Provide for criminal proceedings against juveniles charged with felonies following unsuccessful juvenile court proceedings and provide for inadmissibility of certain statements
Introducer: Senator J. Cavanaugh
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Neutral
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Provide an additional exception to the prohibition on suspending a student in prekindergarten through second grade and change provisions relating to short-term and long-term suspension under the Student Discipline Act
Introducer: Senator Murman
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Change juvenile court jurisdiction relating to habitual truancy and provisions relating to compulsory school attendance
Introducer: Senator Conrad
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Change jurisdiction of juvenile courts and adult criminal courts and change provisions relating to detention and hearings under the Nebraska Juvenile Code
Introducer: Senator Riepe
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Click here for Voices for Children’s position and here for a one-pager with detailed information on why we oppose this bill.
Authorize school policies relating to community engagement
Introducer: Senator Quick
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Change sentencing provisions for crimes committed by a person younger than eighteen years of age
Introducer: Senator Spivey
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Support
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Require schools to adopt a safety plan and provide and change requirements related to training for staff of child care and schools
Introducer: Senator Murman
Status: Referred to Education Committee
Voices for Children Position: Oppose
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Transfer juvenile probation functions to a new Juvenile Probation Agency in the executive branch
Introducer: Senator Bostar
Status: Referred to Judiciary Committee
Voices for Children Position: Neutral
Click here to view Voices for Children’s position.
Provide for confidentiality of prosecutions and adjudications of minors, extend jurisdiction under the Nebraska Juvenile Code, provide requirements for custodial interrogations of juveniles and young adults, prohibit use of certain statements, prohibit sending juveniles out of state, and provide for use and reimbursement of reporting centers
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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