Health and Human Services Committee
January 31, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Senator Brian Hardin | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB82: Cosmetology Licensure Compact
Introduced by: Sen. Senator Victor Rountree | Testimony: 10 proponents, 2 opponents, 3 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska considers joining cosmetology compact that would ease licensing for out-of-state practitioners. LB82 would allow licensed cosmetologists from eight member states—and ten more considering similar laws—to practice in Nebraska without completing additional training. Supporters say it's the military-endorsed gold standard for license mobility and would help address the 21% unemployment rate among military spouses. But Nebraska's cosmetology schools and board members worry the compact would undermine the state's higher training standards.
Why it matters: Nebraska requires 1,800 hours of cosmetology training—among the nation's highest. Most compact states require 1,000-1,500 hours. Opponents fear lower-trained practitioners could legally perform services in Nebraska they were never trained for, creating consumer safety risks. Proponents counter that all states test the same health and safety standards and that existing reciprocity already serves military families.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "The compact is the gold standard for mobility recognized by the military" and provides "bi-directional" benefits so Nebraska residents can also practice in other states. It helps domestic violence survivors relocate quickly and anonymously. - Opponents: "We're comparing apples to oranges." Colorado hairstylists trained without chemicals could legally perform chemical services in Nebraska. "Our curriculum is not the same state-to-state yet." - Board (neutral): Nebraska is "not quite ready" because unresolved scope-of-practice issues haven't been addressed since 2011.
By the numbers: 8 states currently in compact; 10 more proposing similar laws; 27 states have passed informed consent laws for pelvic exams (separate bill); Nebraska requires 1,800 hours vs. national average of 1,500.
What's next: No vote was taken. Introducer Sen. Rountree indicated openness to working with opponents and the board to address concerns before advancing the bill.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Hansen Unclear: Sen. Meyer
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB110: Informed Consent for Intimate Examinations
Introduced by: Sen. Senator Jana Hughes | Testimony: 29 proponents, 2 opponents, 4 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska poised to join 27 states requiring informed consent before intimate exams on anesthetized patients. LB110 would require healthcare providers to obtain written consent before performing pelvic, breast, prostate, or rectal examinations on unconscious or anesthetized patients. The bill allows exceptions for emergencies and permits healthcare power-of-attorney holders to consent. No evidence suggests this practice has occurred in Nebraska, but the bill takes a preventive approach.
Why it matters: Federal guidance issued in April 2024 requires informed consent for hospitals receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding. Nonconsensual intimate exams have affected over 3.5 million Americans nationwide, causing medical trauma and discouraging survivors of sexual assault from seeking care. Ensuring transparent medical interactions protects vulnerable patients and maintains trust in the healthcare system.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Patients have a rational expectation of having control over their medical decisions." The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends this practice. "Requiring informed consent is already best practice." - Introducer Hughes: "If obtaining a signature on a document can avoid imposing the trauma described in testimony, it's worth our time." Acknowledged emergency exceptions and openness to changing "written" to "informed" consent if industry prefers.
By the numbers: 27 states have passed informed consent laws; 5 additional states (including Nebraska) currently considering; over 3.5 million Americans affected by nonconsensual exams; Nebraska Medicine voluntarily implemented written consent in April 2021.
What's next: No vote taken. Hughes indicated amendments are underway, including expanding bill to cover breast, prostate, and rectal exams (AM63) and potentially moving statute under Uniform Credentialing Act per DHHS feedback.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Hansen, Sen. Riepe, Sen. Fredrickson
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB87: Support Service Providers for Deaf-Blind Individuals
Introduced by: Sen. Senator Myron Dorn | Testimony: 7 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska seeks to expand support services for deaf-blind residents, joining 31 other states with dedicated programs. LB87 would establish a statewide Support Service Provider (SSP) program for deaf-blind individuals, building on a successful pilot in Omaha that currently serves 15 people with 8 more waiting. The bill requests $100,000 in General Fund appropriations for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27. Approximately 261 deaf-blind Nebraskans have been identified; the program could eventually serve all of them.
Why it matters: Deaf-blind individuals face profound isolation without specialized support. Family and friends cannot always be available, and rural Nebraska lacks transportation alternatives like Uber or Lyft. Federal law (Olmsted decision) and state law mandate that states support people with severe disabilities to live integrated lives in their communities. SSPs enable independence, community engagement, and mental health benefits that prevent institutional care.
What they're saying: - Program participants: "It is a support I can depend on and doesn't make me feel like a burden." "Without the SSP, I can't leave the house." "For the first time, I was able to vote independently and felt comfortable and strong." - Executive Director Servan: "Support service providers are crucial in enabling deaf-blind individuals to live integrated lives in our community." - Sen. Riepe: Suggested exploring alternative funding (Kiewit Foundation, Omaha foundations) given state budget constraints.
By the numbers: 261 deaf-blind individuals identified in Nebraska; 15 currently served in Omaha pilot; 8 on waiting list; 31 other states plus D.C. have dedicated programs; only 18 states lack one.
What's next: No vote taken. Sen. Dorn indicated willingness to explore alternative funding sources beyond General Fund. Committee expressed strong support for finding appropriations.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Fredrickson
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB160: Barber Examination Test-Out Provision
Introduced by: Sen. Senator Merv Riepe | Testimony: 1 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska barber board seeks to streamline licensing for students who demonstrate competency early. LB160 would allow barber school graduates who fail the licensing exam twice to test out of a required 500-hour remedial course after completing just 250 hours, if approved by the Board of Barber Examiners. The bill maintains Nebraska's high standards—1,800 hours of initial training—while providing a more efficient pathway for competent students. The Board of Barber Examiners approved the measure in October 2024, and it carries no fiscal cost.
Why it matters: The underlying statute hasn't been updated since 1983. COVID-era distance learning and rising numbers of international applicants with questionable training have created new challenges. The board reports zero exam failures before 2020; last year saw 10 double-failures out of 74-75 test-takers. However, all students who completed the full 500-hour requirement subsequently passed. The test-out provision aims to incentivize better study habits while protecting public safety.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This bill has been around since 1983. We've never used it for 40 years, and bang, here it is." Students who meet high standards (93% attendance, 90% GPA) in the 500-hour course are equipped to test out at 250 hours. - Opponents (neutral): "Restricting exam attempts to two is not in students' best interest." Talented barbers with test anxiety cannot afford the $6,000 cost of remedial coursework. "Cosmetologists with the same 1,800-hour requirement face no restrictions on exam attempts."
By the numbers: 1,800 hours required for initial barber training in Nebraska; 500 hours required after two exam failures; 250 hours to test out; $6,000 estimated cost of remedial course; 10 double-failures out of 74-75 examinees in recent year (vs. zero pre-2020).
What's next: No vote taken. Sen. Riepe indicated intention to follow up with proponents before executive session to address concerns raised in neutral testimony, particularly regarding exam attempt restrictions and cost burden on students.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Fredrickson Skeptical: Sen. Meyer Unclear: Sen. Quick, Sen. Ballard, Sen. Riepe
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Hardin announced at the beginning that LB160 would be moved to the end of the hearing to accommodate Senator Riepe's schedule, as he had fewer testifiers than expected. The committee took a brief recess to allow Senator Hughes to arrive for LB110. Committee members introduced themselves at the start: Sen. Merv Riepe (District 12), Sen. Ben Hansen (District 16), Sen. John Fredrickson (District 20), Sen. Glen Meyer (District 17), and Sen. Dan Quick (District 35). Legal counsel John Duggar and committee clerk Barb Dorn assisted. Pages were Sydney Cochran and Demet Gedik of UNL. The hearing concluded with the committee moving into executive session.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.