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: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska moves to attract tattoo conventions with temporary artist licensing. LB720 would let out-of-state body artists work at licensed events for up to 7 days, twice yearly, addressing a regulatory barrier that's cost the state tourism revenue and event hosting opportunities.
Why it matters: The Ink the Island Tattoo Convention, planned for Grand Island in November 2026, expects 500 artists and 10,000-30,000 attendees. Major sponsors like Monster Energy and United Airlines are ready to boost funding if the bill passes. Tourism officials estimate multi-million-dollar economic impact from hotel stays, restaurant spending, and vendor fees.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Current Nebraska licensing is cumbersome and lengthy, deterring out-of-state participation," said Tatyana Erington, convention founder. "Other states like Iowa have temporary licenses; we need to remain competitive." Tyson Schaffert, a 30-year tattoo veteran, emphasized that amendments requiring in-person health inspections by registered environmental health specialists ensure public safety while removing outdated barriers like high school diploma requirements. - Opponents: None testified.
By the numbers: Bosselman Enterprises is providing $15,400 in direct sponsorship. The $50 licensing fee would easily cover inspection costs at 500 artists per event. Apprenticeships in the field take 3-5 years and include rigorous sanitation training.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Quick indicated he would work with the committee to finalize fee amounts and pursue priority bill status to meet the November 2026 event timeline.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Meyer, Sen. Hardin
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB825: Require domestic violence training for licensed mental health practitioners
Introduced by: Sen. Ballard | Testimony: 7 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would require mental health therapists to complete domestic violence training as part of licensing. LB825 mandates 2 hours of continuing education every two years for licensed practitioners and 3 hours for new licensees, responding to a state review team's finding that inadequate training can place abuse survivors at risk.
Why it matters: Nebraska recorded 30 domestic abuse-related deaths in 2025, including 11 murder-suicides. The state's Domestic Abuse Death Review Team found that well-intentioned clinicians without proper training may misinterpret abuse as relationship conflict, miss lethality risks, or use interventions that mirror abusive dynamics. Mental health professionals are often survivors' first or only contact with a trained professional.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "When domestic abuse is not fully understood, even well-intentioned clinicians may unintentionally place victims at risk," said Amy Cirian of the Attorney General's Office. Lindsey Turner, a domestic violence shelter director, noted that survivors often don't feel safe disclosing abuse and are frequently misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder when symptoms stem from abuse. Nathan Arentsen, a survivor, testified that his therapist questioned whether his abuse occurred, told him to "get over it," and then assaulted him—calling the training "a public health essential." - Opponents: None testified.
By the numbers: 15 online proponents, 2 opponents. Therapists already complete 4 hours of ethics training; the 2-hour requirement is comparable to other states (most use 2-3 hours). Most other states have adopted similar requirements.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Ballard indicated willingness to work with stakeholders on language modifications, particularly regarding training provider approval processes and implementation timelines for new licensees.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Riepe, Sen. Meyer, Sen. Quick, Sen. Hardin
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB733: Rename Division of Developmental Disabilities to Division of Disability and Aging
Introduced by: Sen. Riepe | Testimony: 3 proponents, 2 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would rename disability services division to reflect aging and disability focus. LB733 changes the Division of Developmental Disabilities to the Division of Disability and Aging, a technical update reflecting structural reorganizations completed since 2020.
Why it matters: The division now administers services for people across the lifespan—not just those with developmental disabilities. It manages the Aged and Disabled Waiver, special healthcare needs programs, and aging services. The current name creates confusion for families and providers seeking services. Advocates have requested the change for five years.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Language matters, and the proposed name is more inclusive, respectful, and representative," said Alana Schriver of the Nebraska Association of Service Providers. Kristen Larsen of the Nebraska Council on Developmental Disabilities noted that a 2023 state evaluation recommended the change and documented stakeholder confusion. "This will reduce confusion and improve access for families," she said. - Opponents: 2 online opponents (no testimony provided).
By the numbers: 4 online proponents, 2 opponents. The division has integrated the Aged and Disabled Waiver (2020), special healthcare needs programs (2024), and State Unit on Aging (2024). Similar models exist in Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Riepe waived closing remarks. The amendment establishing the division as standalone from Medicaid and Long-Term Care was discussed but not voted on.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Fredrickson
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB892: Clarify massage therapy licensing to allow services outside licensed establishments
Introduced by: Sen. Hansen | Testimony: 9 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would clarify massage therapy licensing to match existing regulations. LB892 removes statutory language restricting massage therapists to licensed establishments, aligning law with rules already allowing services in homes, businesses, and outdoor venues.
Why it matters: Over 1,500 massage therapists operate under rules that contradict statute, creating legal uncertainty. A 2019 statute update inadvertently voided board regulations. The discrepancy forces therapists to pay $127 for 2-year licenses for short-term services like in-home care for recovering patients or wedding party massages.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "The intent of the law and the impact of the law are very different," said Briana Cudly of the American Massage Therapy Association. She described a client with a broken femur who needed temporary in-home massage but would require an unnecessary establishment license. The massage therapy board president submitted online support. - Opponents: 1 online opponent (no testimony provided).
By the numbers: 9 online proponents, 1 opponent, 1 neutral. Over 1,500 massage therapists affected.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Hansen waived closing remarks. This is described as a straightforward cleanup bill requiring only three words to be removed from statute.
LB792: Remove exclusion of single or infrequent home visits from Family Home Visitation Act definition
Introduced by: Sen. Raybould | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Nebraska would remove a statutory barrier to Medicaid billing for postpartum nurse home visits. LB792 deletes one sentence from the Family Home Visitation Act definition that inadvertently prevented the Family Connects program from accessing Medicaid funding authorized last year.
Why it matters: LB22 (2025) passed 47-0 to allow Medicaid billing for nurse home visiting, but DHHS interpreted exclusionary language to block Family Connects from billing. Removing the sentence clears the path for statewide expansion of a program that provides 1-3 postpartum home visits by registered nurses. Medicaid billing is essential for sustainability and rural expansion.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "It's very silly pants," said Sara Howard of First Five Nebraska, describing how boilerplate language from other states is blocking a program that Medicaid was meant to fund. Kerry Kernen of Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department reported that since September 2023, the program completed nearly 2,000 visits with a 65% acceptance rate (vs. expected 30-40%). Kelly Mackling of the Visiting Nurse Association noted that in just a few months in Douglas County, the program identified referrals to lactation, WIC, mental health, and early intervention services. - Opponents: None testified.
By the numbers: 6 online proponents, 1 opponent. Lincoln-Lancaster County: 36% of mothers and 54% of children on Medicaid. Douglas County: 74 families served in first few months with 65% acceptance rate.
What's next: No vote was taken. Sen. Raybould requested consideration for consent calendar or committee priority bill status, noting the bill has no fiscal note and is a cleanup measure.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Hardin Unclear: Sen. Meyer
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee heard five bills during this January 21, 2026 hearing. Committee Chair Hardin noted procedural matters regarding written position comments (must be submitted by 8 a.m. on hearing day via legislature.nebraska.gov) and explained that only those testifying in person appear on the committee statement. The committee discussed signage protocols for tracking proponents, opponents, and neutral testifiers, with some chairs noting their systems are more user-friendly than others. No votes were taken on any bills during this hearing. All bills were advanced for further consideration pending amendments and stakeholder input.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.