Health and Human Services Committee
January 21, 2026
Committee Chair: Sen. Hardin | Bills Heard: 5 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB720: Create a temporary event license for body artists under the Uniform Credentialing Act
Introduced by: Sen. Quick | Testimony: 5 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral
Nebraska moves to attract tattoo conventions with temporary artist licensing. LB720 would allow out-of-state body artists to work at licensed events for up to 7 days, removing a regulatory barrier that has sent convention business to neighboring states. The bill is designed to capitalize on growing demand for tattoo conventions—organizers expect 500 artists and up to 30,000 attendees at a November 2026 Grand Island event.
Why it matters: Tattoo conventions generate significant tourism revenue through hotel stays, restaurant spending, and vendor fees. Grand Island's event alone could bring thousands of dollars in economic activity. The bill also addresses a competitive disadvantage: Iowa and other neighboring states already allow temporary licensing, while Nebraska's current process requires a full state license—a lengthy, expensive hurdle for short-term events.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This is a smart, targeted economic development bill," said Sen. Quick. Tatyana Erington, founder of the planned Grand Island convention, noted that Nebraska's current 18-20 page application and high school diploma requirement are far stricter than Iowa's 2-page process. Tyson Schaffert, a body art industry expert, emphasized that the bill includes strong safeguards: mandatory in-person facility inspections by registered environmental health specialists and verification of out-of-state licensure. - Safety concerns addressed: The bill requires temporary licensees to work only in licensed, inspected facilities and hold active licenses in their home states. Schaffert noted that at $50 per license, fees would easily cover inspection costs.
By the numbers: 500 expected artists; 10,000-30,000 expected attendees; $15,400+ in direct sponsorship from Bosselman Enterprises; 13 environmental health specialists available in Grand Island.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Quick indicated he would work with the committee to finalize fee amounts and push for quick passage to meet the November 2026 event timeline. The bill includes amendments requiring in-person inspections and limiting temporary licenses to 2 per year.
LB825: Require domestic violence training for licensed mental health practitioners
Introduced by: Sen. Ballard | Testimony: 8 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska would require mental health professionals to train on domestic violence. LB825 mandates 2 hours of continuing education in domestic violence for licensed mental health practitioners during renewal, and 3 hours for new licensees. The bill responds to a recommendation from the Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team, which found that inadequate training can place victims at risk.
Why it matters: Mental health professionals are often the first—and sometimes only—professionals to have sustained contact with domestic violence victims. Yet many clinicians lack specialized training in recognizing abuse dynamics, safety planning, and lethality assessment. The state recorded 30 domestic abuse-related deaths in 2025, including 11 murder-suicides. Inadequate training can cause therapists to unintentionally harm victims by misinterpreting abuse as relationship conflict or recommending couples counseling, which is contraindicated in abusive relationships.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This is a public health essential," said Nathan Arentsen, a domestic violence survivor who was physically assaulted by a licensed therapist during treatment. Amy Cirian of the Domestic Abuse Death Review Team noted that case reviews "consistently" showed clinicians placing victims at risk through misunderstanding. Lindsey Turner, a mental health practitioner, testified that her master's degree included no domestic violence education, yet at least half her clients experienced domestic violence. - Implementation concerns: Dr. Susan Reay of UNO raised concerns about crowding in the 32-hour continuing education requirement and suggested clarifying language around training approval and delaying implementation to allow curriculum development.
By the numbers: 30 domestic abuse-related deaths in Nebraska in 2025; 11 murder-suicides; 15 online proponents, 2 opponents.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Ballard indicated willingness to work with stakeholders on language modifications. The coalition suggested amendments requiring Board of Mental Health approval of coursework and a delayed implementation timeline.
LB733: Rename Division of Developmental Disabilities to Division of Disability and Aging
Introduced by: Sen. Riepe | Testimony: 3 proponents, 2 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska updates disability services structure with name change. LB733 renames the Division of Developmental Disabilities as the Division of Disability and Aging, reflecting structural changes already implemented since 2020. The bill is largely technical and makes no changes to services or eligibility.
Why it matters: The division now serves individuals across the lifespan with disabilities and aging-related needs, not just developmental disabilities. The Aged and Disabled Waiver moved to the division in 2020, special healthcare needs programs in 2024, and the State Unit on Aging in 2024. The current name creates confusion for families and providers trying to navigate services. Several states—Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Louisiana, and Tennessee—have already consolidated disability and aging functions into single divisions.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Language matters," said Alana Schriver of the Nebraska Association of Service Providers. The new name is "more inclusive, respectful, and representative of people with disabilities across the lifespan." Kristen Larsen of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities noted that advocates have urged the name change for 5 years, as many individuals using Aged and Disabled or TBI services do not have a developmental disability.
By the numbers: 4 online proponents, 2 opponents, zero neutral.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Riepe waived closing remarks. An amendment would establish the division as standalone, moving it out from under Medicaid and Long-Term Care.
LB892: Clarify massage therapy licensing to allow services outside licensed establishments
Introduced by: Sen. Hansen | Testimony: 10 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral
Nebraska fixes massage therapy licensing discrepancy. LB892 removes language from statute that conflicts with existing regulations, allowing massage therapists to legally provide services in homes, at events, and other locations outside licensed establishments. The bill is a straightforward cleanup measure with no fiscal note.
Why it matters: A 2019 statute update inadvertently created a conflict: the law says massage therapists can only work in licensed establishments unless specifically permitted, but regulations already allow services in homes, businesses, and outdoor venues. This discrepancy has created confusion and forced over 1,500 massage therapists to obtain expensive mobile establishment licenses ($127 for 2 years) even for short-term services like visiting a homebound client or providing massage at a wedding.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "This is really bad," said Briana Cudly of the American Massage Therapy Association. The discrepancy was discovered in fall 2024 when new DHHS attorneys found the conflict. "The intent of the law and the impact of the law are very different." The board's support is on file online.
By the numbers: 1,500+ massage therapists affected; 9 online proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Hansen indicated he would be available to close. This is described as a simple, one-paragraph cleanup bill.
LB792: Remove language excluding single or infrequent home visits from evidence-based home visiting definition
Introduced by: Sen. Raybould | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral
Nebraska removes barrier to Medicaid billing for postpartum home visits. LB792 deletes a single sentence from the Family Home Visitation Act that excludes programs providing single or infrequent home visits. The change allows the Family Connects nurse home visiting program to bill Medicaid as intended by LB22, which passed last year with unanimous support (47-0).
Why it matters: Family Connects provides 1-3 postpartum home visits by registered nurses to new mothers, offering support, breastfeeding education, and resource connections. The program is evidence-based, universal, and voluntary. However, DHHS interpreted the Family Home Visitation Act definition to exclude programs with infrequent visits, preventing Family Connects from billing Medicaid. Removing the exclusionary language would allow the program to expand statewide and become financially sustainable.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "It's very silly pants," said Sara Howard of First Five Nebraska, describing the bureaucratic barrier. DHHS submitted a State Plan Amendment for a generic postpartum program instead of Family Connects because of the language excluding infrequent visits. Kerry Kernen of Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department noted the program has completed almost 2,000 visits since September 2023, with 36% of mothers and 54% of children on Medicaid. Kelly Mackling of the Visiting Nurse Association reported a 65% acceptance rate in Omaha (higher than the expected 30-40%).
By the numbers: Almost 2,000 postpartum visits completed in Lincoln-Lancaster County since September 2023; 74 families served in Douglas County in first few months; 36% of mothers and 54% of children on Medicaid; 6 online proponents, 1 opponent, zero neutral.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Raybould requested the committee consider the bill for consent or as a committee priority bill, noting it has no fiscal note.
Session Notes
The committee heard four bills: LB720 (temporary tattoo artist licensing), LB825 (domestic violence training for mental health practitioners), LB733 (rename disability division), and LB892 (massage therapy licensing cleanup). Committee Chair Hardin noted that for LB720, there were 0 proponents, 0 opponents, and 2 in the neutral online. For LB825, there were 15 online proponents and 2 opponents. For LB733, there were 4 online proponents and 2 opponents. For LB892, there were 9 online proponents, 1 opponent, and 1 neutral. The committee also heard LB792 (home visiting Medicaid billing), which had 6 online proponents, 1 opponent, and zero neutral. No votes were taken on any bills during this hearing. Multiple senators indicated willingness to work with bill introducers on amendments and language clarifications.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.