It has been a hectic legislative session!  We are in the process of further updating this page and will post our testimony soon. In the meantime, below is a list of some of Voices for Children’s top priority legislation for the 108th Legislature, 1st Session, from January-June 2023. 

If you have questions about our legislative agenda or would like to follow along, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We also strongly encourage you to follow us on social media and to join our AdvoKid listserv, where we send weekly or biweekly updates during session! 

To contact your state senator, click here.

Economic Stability 

  • Support- LB 84, introduced by Senator Day, will eliminate the sunset on the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gross income at 165% FPL, to ensure families that are currently using the program can continue to do so.   
  • Support- LB 35, introduced by Senator DeBoer, will extend the sunset for the income eligibility of the child care assistance subsidy for another 3 years, at 185% FPL. 
  • Support- LB 57, introduced by Senator M. Cavanaugh, will adopt the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, to create a state program that will provide partial wage replacement for workers who are eligible.   
  • Support- LB 294, introduced by Senator Conrad, will adopt the Child Tax Credit Act for children under eighteen. 

Health 

  • Support- LB 99, introduced by Senator M. Cavanaugh, will adopt the Hunger-Free Schools Act, to provide free breakfast and lunch to eligible public-school students.  
  • Support- LB 285, introduced by Senator Walz, will adopt the School Community Eligibility Provision Maximization Act, which allows eligible schools to receive free breakfast and lunches for their students.  
  • Oppose – LB 574, introduced be Senator Kauth, which would prevent Nebraska youth from accessing gender affirming care
  • Oppose – LB 575, introduced by Senator Kauth, which would exclude trans youth from sports teams and spaces corresponding to their gender

Child Welfare 

  • Support- LB 42, introduced by Senator Hansen, will change the definition of child abuse and neglect. 
  • Support- LB 271, introduced by Senator McKinney, will change reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect. 

Juvenile Justice 

  • Support- LB 14, introduced by Senator Dungan, will extend eligibility of the Bridge to Independence Program to youth in the juvenile justice system. 
  • Support- LB 127, introduced by Senator Day, will change sentencing parole provisions for youth who are eighteen and younger, banning juvenile life without parole.  
  • Support- LB 507, introduced by Senator Conrad, would change provisions relating to chronic absenteeism (truancy). 
  • Oppose- LB 620, introduced by Senator McDonnell, will change provisions relating to arraignment and hearings for children starting at the age of 12. 
  • Oppose- LB 811, introduced by Senator Murman, will allow students to be physically restraint or removed from a class without adequate training, oversight, or accountability