All children and families should be strengthened, supported, and cared for.
This legislative session, we’re watching the following child welfare bills that support young people navigating the child welfare system – and fighting against bills that put young people at risk.
Our priority bills for 2026 are:
✅ LB368, introduced by Senator Megan Hunt, creates the Nebraska Youth in Care Bill of Rights, helping young people understand and exercise their rights while navigating the foster care system.
✅ LB462, introduced by Senator Terrell McKinney, clarifies that involuntary poverty and certain independent childhood activities, alone, are not considered child neglect as to trigger a child welfare case in Nebraska.
✅ LB1032, introduced by Senator Wendy DeBoer, recognizes tribal customary adoptions in Nebraska state law. Tribal customary adoptions allow Native children to be adopted without severing their relationship with their biological family, respecting the traditions, values, and laws of their tribes.
❌ LB730, introduced by Senator Kathleen Kauth, prohibits schools and state agencies from allowing people to access a restroom or locker room designated for a gender different than their gender assigned at birth.
Other important bills to watch:
✅ LB65 – Senator Deboer
Exempt the payment of court costs & fees for certain court costs for individuals under 19
✅ LB298– Senator Von Gillern
Require notifications by the Department of Health and Human Services to fictive kin of a child who has been removed from home
✅ LB962 – Senator McKinney
Adopt the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act
✅ LB996 – Senator Roundtree
Prohibit the use of shackling or restraints on juveniles
✅ LB1155 – Senator Dover
Limit use of restrictive housing & solitary confinement
Make your voice heard!
There are several ways that you can share your voice on legislation that’s important to you!
- To be included in a bill’s legislative record, you must either testify in-person or submit an online comment prior to the hearing.
- Online public comments for the record must be submitted by 8:00 AM the day of the hearing via the online comment portal in order to be added to the official public hearing record.
- However, we still encourage you to contact your senator any time via email or their office phone number on the issues that matter to you! (Find your senator.)
We’ll keep you updated as these bills move forward in the Legislature. Make sure you’re signed up for our weekly Legislative Updates for opportunities to take action, and check out our resources for contacting your elected officials, testifying, and preparing your story on our Advocacy Resources page.
Reach out any time via email with any questions or ways we can support you in using your voice for advocacy!
Thank you for helping us strengthen child welfare policies in Nebraska!