The following is a list of Voices for Children priority legislation for the 104th Legislature.
To view the 2015 Sine Die Legislative Update, click here.
To contact your state senator, click here
Child Welfare
LB 15: Provide additional powers and duties for guardians ad litem
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Signed by Governor Ricketts, April 29, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s LB 15 Testimony
LB 148: Provide for medical assistance program coverage for certain youth formerly in foster care
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Hearing, January 30
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
LB 219: Change and eliminate child custody provisions and adopt the Uniform Deployed Parents Custody and Visitation Act
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Signed by Governor, February 26
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children Testimony on LB 219
LB 229: Appropriate funds to CASA
Introducer: Senator Dave Watermeier
Status: Hearing, March 10
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
LB 243: Create a pilot project relating to family finding services
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: Passed on Final Reading, Bolz Priority bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 243
LB 296: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to provide notification after removal of a child
Introducer: Senator Mark Kolterman
Status: Presented to Governor Ricketts, May 20, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 296
LB302: Create the offense of rehoming a child
Introducer: Senator Kathy Campbell
Status: Hearing, February 27
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Letter of Support for LB 302
LB 441: Change provisions relating to the Bridge to Independence program
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 441
LB 485: State intent relating to appropriations for child advocacy center satellite offices
Introducer: Senator John Stinner
Status: Hearing, March 17
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices or Children’s Written Testimony on LB 485
LB 623: Provide for issuance of motor vehicle operators’ licenses and state ID cards to persons with lawful status
Introducer: Senator Jeremy Norquist
Status: Governor Ricketts’ veto overridden 34-10-5
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB623
LB 647: Prohibit discrimination relating to child placement
Introducer: Senator Jeremy Nordquist
Status: Hearing, February 4
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Written Testimony on LB 647
LB 648: Provide for adoption by two adult persons
Introducer: Senator Sara Howard
Status: Hearing, February 4
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Written Testimony on LB 648
Economic Stability
LB 81: Change provisions relating to eligibility for child care assistance
Introducer: Senator Tanya Cook
Status: Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2, Senator Cook Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 81
LB 89: Change provisions relating to Aid to Dependent Children
Introducer: Vetoed by Governor Ricketts, April 29, 2015
Status: Select File, Senator Campbell Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Support Testimony on LB89
LB 147: Change provisions relating to asset limitations for public assistance
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: Hearing, February 6
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Support Testimony on LB147
LB 240: Change the termination date of the Behavioral Health Screening and Referral Pilot Program
Introducer: Senator Matt Hansen
Status: Approved by Governor Ricketts, May, 2015
Click here for Voices for Children’s Support Testimony on LB240
LB 281: Adopt the Child Support for College Savings Act
Introducer: Senator Rick Kolowski
Status: Hearing, March 12
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
LB 335: Create and provide duties for the Intergenerational Poverty Task Force
Introducer: Senator Heath Mello
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Support Testimony on LB335
LB 380: Establish High Education Affordability Commission
Introducer: Senator Adam Morfeld
Status: Hearing, March 3
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Support Testimony of LB380
LB 411: Change provisions relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Introducer: Senator Tanya Cook
Status: Hearing, March 11
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB411
LB 415: Change provisions relating to the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: Approved by Governor Ricketts, April 29, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB415
LB 472: Adopt the Medicaid Redesign Act (Medicaid Expansion)
Introducer: Senator Kathy Campbell
Status: General File, Health and Human Services Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB472
LB 493: Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act (Paid Sick and Safe Leave)
Introducer: Senator Jeremy Nordquist
Status: Hearing, February 9
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
LB 494: Change minimum wage for tipped workers
Introducer: Senator Jeremy Nordquist
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Letter of Support for LB 494
LB 495: Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: Hearing, February 4
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 495
LB 510: Provide an income tax credit to employers of public assistance programs
Introducer: Senator Tanya Cook
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 510
LB 518: Provide for changes to the medical assistance program
Introducer: Senator Merv Riepe
Status: Hearing, March 18, 2015
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s LB 518 Testimony
LB 524: Change provisions documenting eligibility relating to free and reduced-price school meals
Introducer: Senator Kate Sullivan
Status: Hearing, February 9
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s LB 524 Testimony
LB 627: Provide Provide Protections for Pregnant Workers
Introducer: Senator Heath Mello
Status: Signed by Governor Ricketts, April 13, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s LB 627 Testimony
LB 645: Adopt the Early Childhood Workforce Development Opportunity Act (provide tax credits)
Introducer: Senator Jeremy Nordquist
Status: Hearing, March 11
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB645
Juvenile Justice
LB 13: Change community-based Services Aid Program provisions
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 13
LB 25: Change court jurisdiction relation to 17 year olds and young adults
Introducer: Bob Krist
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 25
LB 212: Prohibit use of restraints in juvenile courts as prescribed
Introducer: Senator Ernie Chambers
Status: Hearing, February 25
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 212
LB 265: Change provisions relating to juveniles and child welfare
Introducer: Senator Kathy Campbell
Status: Passed on Final Reading, 45-1-3
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 265
LB 294: Adopt the Human Trafficking Victims Civil Remedy Act, provisions relating to juveniles
Introducer: Signed by Governor Ricketts, May 19, 2015
Status: Hearing, March 4
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 294
LB 347: Expand the jurisdiction of the Inspector General to the juvenile justice system
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2, Speaker Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 347
LB 422: Provide for reasonable fees and costs for proceedings involving a minor under the Probate Code
Introducer: Senator Sara Howard
Status: Passed on Final Reading 47-0-2
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB422
LB 459: Change provisions relating to a deposition of a child victim or child witness
Introducer: Senator Sue Crawford
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: NEUTRAL
LB 482: Change provisions relating to juveniles, regarding restraints, detainment, fingerprints
Introducer: Senator Bob Krist
Status: Signed by Governor Ricketts, April 29, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 482
LB 499: Provide duties for the Department of Health and Human Services relating to behavioral and mental health
Introducer: Senator Patty Pansing Brooks
Status: Hearing, March 4
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 499
LB 500: Require application for Medicaid state plan amendment for multisystemic therapy and functional family
Introducer: Senator Sara Howard
Status: Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause, 40-1-8
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 500
LB 566: Change provisions relating to Indian child welfare
Introducer: Senator Colby Coash
Status: Approved by Governor Ricketts, May 27, 2015
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB566
LB 598: Report on mental illness and seclusion
Introducer: Senator Paul Schumacher
Status: Placed on Final Reading, Legislative Performance Audit Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 598
Tax & Revenue
LB 280: Reduce Ag land valuations, add local income tax, reduce local property tax, create aid per-pupil
Introducer: Senator Al Davis
Status: Hearing, February 18
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
LB 322: Increase child and dependent care tax credits
Introducer: Senator Kate Bolz
Status: General File
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 322
LB 357: Cuts to income tax, transfer funds from Cash Reserve
Introducer: Senator Jim Smith
Status: Hearing, February 18, Senator Smith Priority Bill
Voices for Children Position: OPPOSE
Click Here to Read Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 357
Safety
LB 303: Authorize schools to adopt a child sexual abuse policy
Introducer: Senator Dave Bloomfield
Status: Hearing, January 27
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children Testimony on LB 303
LB 572: Provide duties for a state school security director relating to cyberbullying and digital citizenship issues
Introducer: Senator Al Davis
Status: Hearing, March 10
Voices for Children Position: SUPPORT
Click Here for Voices for Children’s Testimony on LB 572
