Healthcare (Mental Health) in Nebraska

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1161: Change provisions relating to the age of majority

Nebraska's LB 1161 would lower the age of majority from 19 to 18, granting 18-year-olds the legal rights and responsibilities of adults. The bill specifically allows 18-year-olds to enter binding contracts, sign leases and property deeds, and make their own health care decisions - including mental health services and pregnancy-related care - without parental consent. It also removes the previous exception allowing minors under 19 to end minority through marriage. The change applies to all Nebraska residents turning 18, except those under juvenile court custody in Department of Health and Human Services care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1031: Require appropriations from the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund and state intent regarding medicaid rates for mental health providers

This bill requires Nebraska to allocate $1.5 million annually from the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Fund to reimburse mental health providers who serve Medicaid-Medicare dual-eligible patients (people enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare) for behavioral health services. It mandates that these providers receive the higher Medicaid or Medicare rate for such services, rather than a lower combined rate. The funding applies specifically to providers not operating within hospitals, supporting access to mental health care for vulnerable dual-eligible beneficiaries. The bill explicitly states the Legislature's intent to maintain current Medicaid reimbursement rates for these services in the medical assistance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1207: Require school districts to provide mental health leave for school employees

LB 1207 requires Nebraska school districts to provide full-time school employees with five paid mental health leave days each school fiscal year, at their regular salary. Employees cannot be asked for medical documentation to use this leave, and the days do not reduce other accrued leave (like vacation or sick time). The bill takes immediate effect upon approval due to an emergency declaration, directly impacting school employees across the state.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1084: Change provisions relating to persons taken into emergency protective custody

This bill updates Nebraska's emergency protective custody rules for individuals posing a mental health or safety risk. It clarifies that law enforcement may temporarily hold people suspected of being mentally ill and dangerous or dangerous sex offenders, requiring a 36-hour mental health evaluation by an independent professional before release. The bill specifies where individuals must be held (medical facilities first, then jails if no emergency), details documentation requirements for officers, and assigns payment responsibility to counties or tribes for Indian country cases under tribal law. These changes apply directly to people in emergency custody and the county/tribal facilities managing their care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 722: Provide for use of the Behavioral Health Services Fund for individuals with substance use disorder

Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 722 amends the Behavioral Health Services Fund to explicitly include services for individuals with substance use disorder. The bill clarifies that funds can now be used for behavioral health services specifically for people with substance use disorder, aligning with existing provisions for serious mental illness. This change, which references the definition in Section 71-430, ensures the fund’s resources directly support treatment and housing-related assistance for this population without creating new funding. The bill affects Nebraskans seeking behavioral health services, particularly those with substance use disorder who qualify under the fund’s existing eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 962: Adopt the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act

LB 962 establishes the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act to support youth under 21 exiting juvenile detention, group homes, residential treatment programs, or probation supervision. The law requires state agencies to develop individualized transition plans within 60 days of custody, assign aftercare coordinators for up to 12 months post-release, and create individualized employment plans with career pathways. Key provisions include housing stabilization strategies, continuity of behavioral health and Medicaid services, credible messenger mentoring, and joint meetings between probation officers and coordinators. The program integrates existing state resources across the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Services, Probation Administration, and the Department of Education.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Probation & Parole Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 860: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to create a program to provide behavioral health care services to individuals under twenty-one years of age

LB 860 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to create a program by January 1, 2027, providing behavioral health services to individuals under 21 with complex needs. The program must include services like mobile response, intensive home-based treatment, inpatient care, substance use disorder treatment, and developmental disability care. It aims to support families in community settings and prevent institutionalization or out-of-home placements. Care coordination will occur through behavioral health regions or a statewide managed care plan to ensure access to a full continuum of services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 855: Adopt the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act

Nebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 755: Adopt the Emergency Service Peer Support Act

LB 755 adopts the Emergency Service Peer Support Act to establish confidential peer support programs for emergency service employees, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, correctional officers, and hospital staff. The bill defines "peer support" as structured programs where trained peers provide emotional, practical, and resource-based assistance to colleagues facing personal or professional challenges, with all communications kept strictly confidential. It mandates that peer support sessions begin with the peer confirming confidentiality and prohibits disclosure of these sessions in any legal, disciplinary, or administrative proceeding. This law protects employees from having private discussions used against them while ensuring peer support remains a safe, accessible resource for mental health resilience.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 386: Adopt the Regional Mental Health Expansion Pilot Program Act, provide for videoconferencing of hearings under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act and the Sex Offender Commitment Act, provide for detention of certain persons at mental health beds in jails, and change provisions relating to hearings and rights of confrontation

LB 386 creates a pilot program to expand mental health services for individuals in crisis who are temporarily detained by law enforcement. It allows counties to add mental health beds in jails and encourages regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies, with the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement administering the program. Key provisions include permitting videoconferencing for mental health hearings and evaluations under existing commitment acts, and defining terms like "videoconferencing" to streamline processes. The bill specifically states it does not criminalize mental health issues and aims to reduce burdens on rural law enforcement and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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