Rep. Victor Rountree

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Judiciary Committee to conduct an interim study on the use of shackling on juveniles in Nebraska. The study will examine when shackling should be allowed or prohibited, how to draft clear rules for agencies and staff, and what other states have done regarding juvenile restraint policies. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the review. This measure focuses on gathering information rather than enacting immediate changes to current practices.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on food insecurity affecting pregnant and postpartum women and their children. The study will examine current data on food insecurity, identify barriers to accessing food assistance, review existing programs like WIC and SNAP, and assess how these services impact maternal and child health outcomes. The committee will also consider potential policy changes and determine if additional state funding is needed to improve access to nutrition services for this population.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on the state's waiver programs for developmental disabilities and aging services. The study will examine eligibility rules, funding caps, assessment tools used to determine disability needs, and the impact of algorithm-based evaluation methods. It also looks at how individuals with disabilities might benefit from transitioning to a specific Social Security status for Medicaid eligibility. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the review.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $118,000 from the General Fund for each of the fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to the Nebraska State Department of Education. The funds are designated to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 841, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation specifically prohibits using these funds for employee salaries, temporary staff wages, or per diem expenses. This measure provides financial resources to the department without directly altering the underlying policy provisions of the related bill.

Maddy summaryLB 737 requires Nebraska's Health and Human Services Committee and Urban Affairs Committee to hold an annual joint public hearing each October. The hearing must assess progress on the Olmstead plan - Nebraska's strategy to provide community-based services for people with disabilities - specifically in housing, employment, education, community supports, and transportation. Committees must submit a written report to the Legislature by December 31 each year. This bill directly affects individuals with disabilities by ensuring regular public evaluation of their access to community services, and it mandates state agencies to provide transparent updates on implementation. The bill amends existing law to replace prior reporting requirements with this structured annual review process.

Maddy summaryLB 843 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver allowing refugees and immigrants to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This directly affects refugees and immigrants who are currently ineligible for SNAP under federal rules. The bill mandates the department to file this specific waiver with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand SNAP eligibility for these groups. It does not change existing SNAP rules but seeks federal permission to include these populations in the program. The bill focuses on administrative action by the state department, not on new funding or benefit amounts.

Maddy summaryLB 739 amends Nebraska's name-change petition process by updating notice requirements. It specifies that adults (19+) must publish notice once weekly for four weeks in a county newspaper, while minors under 19 need only two consecutive weeks of publication. The bill also adds a court waiver option if notice would endanger the petitioner and requires certified mail notice to noncustodial parents for minors under 19, as defined by existing law. This directly affects individuals seeking name changes in Nebraska, particularly minors and their noncustodial parents.

Maddy summaryLB 841 amends Nebraska's special education laws to clarify requirements for student identification, parental consent, and dispute resolution. It requires school districts to provide services only to students properly identified under existing law and mandates parental/legal guardian consent before changing an individualized education program (IEP), unless the district documents reasonable efforts to obtain consent (with no response in 10 days) or secures hearing approval. The bill shifts the burden of proof and burden of production to school districts during special education hearings, meaning schools must demonstrate their position rather than parents proving the school wrong. It also sets a 45-day deadline for hearing officers to issue final decisions. This directly affects students with disabilities, their families, and school districts across Nebraska.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 738 adds a new "Honoring Women Veterans" license plate option to the state's specialty plate program. The bill directs the Department of Motor Vehicles to design plates featuring a woman soldier, "women veterans" at the top, and "honoring her service" at the bottom. Drivers who purchase these plates would pay a fee, with all proceeds going to the Women Veterans Cash Fund. This is a procedural addition to existing specialty plate programs, directly affecting Nebraska drivers who choose to display this specific plate.

Maddy summaryLB 996 prohibits the use of shackles (like handcuffs, leg irons, or waist chains) on juveniles during transportation or detention, except in limited circumstances. It allows shackling only if a juvenile poses a substantial immediate risk of harm, no less restrictive alternative exists, and the restraint is used for the shortest time necessary. The bill also requires written documentation for any exception and mandates that transportation policies for juveniles (including those handled by private contractors) must follow these restrictions. This directly affects juveniles in Nebraska's justice system, law enforcement, and transportation staff who must now comply with these updated safety protocols.