Judiciary Committee
February 7, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Carolyn Bosn | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB368: Youth in Care Bill of Rights
Introduced by: Sen. Megan Hunt | Testimony: 7 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would establish a bill of rights for foster youth, requiring caseworkers to inform them of their rights regularly and creating a grievance process. The bill responds to testimony from current and former foster youth who say they were unaware of their rights despite a 2016 state law requiring notice. Why it matters: Youth in state custody often experience trauma during placement and don't retain information given during the chaotic initial 72-hour removal period. Knowing their rights could help them advocate for themselves and access support services. What they're saying: Former foster youth testified about abuse, neglect, and discrimination they experienced without understanding they had recourse. "If I had known my rights, my life would be completely different today," one testifier said. Advocates noted 15 states have passed similar bills, suggesting federal requirements fall short. By the numbers: Over 50 advocates with lived experience in Nebraska's foster care system contributed to the bill's development. The bill applies to youth age 14 and up in foster family homes and child caring institutions. What's next: No vote was taken. The bill includes AM210, a technical amendment clarifying the bill applies only to DHHS child welfare cases, not juvenile probation placements. Committee received 68 proponent comments, 4 opponent comments, and 2 neutral comments for the record.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Rountree Unclear: Sen. Hallstrom
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB369: Change Age of Medical Consent from 19 to 18
Introduced by: Sen. Megan Hunt | Testimony: 2 proponents, 1 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would lower the age at which young adults can consent to medical care from 19 to 18, aligning with nearly every other state. The bill responds to college students and young adults who face delays in receiving needed treatment when parents cannot be reached. Why it matters: An 18-year-old can vote, serve in the military, sign contracts, and consent to mental health care in Nebraska—but not get a flu shot without parental permission. This creates real hardship: students with strep throat, broken bones, or other treatable conditions must wait for parental consent, sometimes for hours or days. What they're saying: An adolescent medicine physician testified that Nebraska's 19-year-old age of majority is "unusual" and creates "awkward" situations. "Every other state did this 50 years ago," he said. The State Bar Association noted real cases where college students suffered unnecessary delays. One opponent comment was submitted but no one testified against the bill. By the numbers: Only Alabama and Mississippi don't allow 18-year-olds to consent to medical care. All surrounding states permit it. About 90% of Canada and all of Europe allow 18-year-olds to consent. What's next: No vote was taken. The committee received 11 proponent comments, 1 opponent comment, and 1 neutral comment for the record.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Storm, Sen. Hallstrom Unclear: Sen. Holdcroft
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB462: Narrow Child Welfare System Entry Standards
Introduced by: Sen. Terrell McKinney | Testimony: 5 proponents, 3 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would narrow its child welfare system by limiting mandatory reporters to trained professionals and redefining neglect to exclude poverty-related cases. The bill responds to data showing Nebraska ranks in the top ten states for overreporting, with only 5.2% of 37,000 annual reports involving actual maltreatment. Why it matters: Overreporting overwhelms the system, drains resources from genuine emergencies, and disproportionately harms families of color. Families avoid seeking help for domestic violence or food assistance due to fear of being reported. Yet the bill faces significant pushback from prosecutors and law enforcement who worry it will allow abuse to slip through cracks. What they're saying: Proponents: "85% of substantiated cases involve physical neglect, which is often poverty rather than abuse." Opponents: "By requiring knowledge or observation of abuse, this bill is taking away an invaluable lifeline to children who may not be ready to disclose." A prosecutor testified that vague language like "sufficient maturity" creates jury problems. By the numbers: 64.1% of children removed from homes in FY 2023-24 were removed for neglect. Children of color are overrepresented in out-of-home care. Only 1,700 of 38,000 hotline calls in 2022 were substantiated. What's next: No vote was taken. Senator McKinney said he's open to working on language, including potentially adding volunteers and coaches as mandatory reporters. The committee received 31 proponent comments, 1 opponent comment, and 1 neutral comment for the record.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Hallstrom, Sen. DeBoer, Sen. Bosn
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB141: Military Family Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting
Introduced by: Sen. Victor Rountree | Testimony: 0 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would require the state to notify military family advocacy programs when investigating child abuse or neglect involving military families. The bill aims to connect military families with Department of Defense resources at the outset of investigations. Why it matters: Military families often have access to specialized support services through family advocacy programs, but those programs can only help if they know about the case. The bill ensures statewide consistency; currently, coordination relies on individual memoranda of understanding around Offutt Air Force Base, leaving many military families outside that area without guaranteed communication. What they're saying: Senator Rountree emphasized the bill is "a victim advocacy measure to protect our most vulnerable," not a military law enforcement matter. The Nebraska Alliance of Child Advocacy Centers testified neutrally, noting that local coordination already exists through child advocacy centers and that Project Harmony in Omaha has co-located family advocates with Offutt's family advocacy program since fall 2023. By the numbers: In 2023, Nebraska's child advocacy centers assisted over 9,200 children and families. There are 130 child abuse and neglect investigative teams across all 93 Nebraska counties. What's next: No vote was taken. Senator Rountree indicated a potential amendment may be drafted to address documentation sharing. The committee received 3 proponent comments, 1 opponent comment, and 1 neutral comment for the record.
Committee sentiment: Unclear: Sen. Hallstrom
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Bosn opened the hearing with procedural instructions regarding testifier sheets, the three-minute light system, and written position comment deadlines. Committee members introduced themselves. The hearing covered four bills addressing child welfare and youth rights issues. No votes were taken on any bills during the hearing. Senator Hunt was absent from all hearings, represented by her legislative aide Hanna Murdoch for LB368 and LB369. The committee heard extensive testimony on LB462 regarding child welfare reporting standards, with significant debate between proponents focused on overreporting and racial disparities and opponents concerned about child safety and prosecution challenges.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.