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LB 26

Include certain hospital and health clinic employees within statutes protecting health care professionals from assault

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Beau Ballard

Expands protected health care workers to include hospital and health clinic employees on duty, triggering enhanced assault penalties for on-duty attacks.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 26

Summary of LB26 (Nebraska, 2025)

Overview

LB26, introduced by Senator Beau Ballard in the 109th Nebraska Legislature (First Session, 2025), aims to expand the statutory protection against assault for health care workers. Specifically, it broadens the definition of “health care professional” to include hospital and health clinic employees, so they are covered by enhanced assault penalties when on duty. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee and later amended into LB322 by AM767 (as of June 6, 2025).

Purpose and intent

  • To close a gap in current law that limits “health care professional” protections to physicians and other licensed/certified health care practitioners.
  • To ensure that any employee of a hospital or health clinic who is on duty and qualified for assault protections would receive the same enhanced penalties applicable to health care professionals.

Key provisions

  • Amends Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-929.01 (as amended) to redefine “health care professional” for purposes of sections 28-929, 28-929.02, 28-930, 28-931, and 28-931.01.
  • Redefinition includes:
    • (a) A physician or other health care practitioner licensed, certified, or registered to perform specified health services who practices at a hospital or health clinic; and
    • (b) Any other employee of a hospital or health clinic.
  • Clarifies that the definitions of “health clinic” and “hospital” align with existing definitions (health clinic: §71-416; hospital: §71-419).
  • Repeals the original version of §28-929.01 and substitutes the revised definition applicable to the listed assault-related statutes.
  • Context note: The bill’s text indicates the enhanced assault penalties apply when the target is a health care professional on duty at a hospital or health clinic.

Affected parties

  • Current and future hospital and health clinic employees on duty, who would be protected under enhanced assault provisions.
  • Hospitals and health clinics, as employers, with broader workplace safety and compliance implications.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduced: January 9, 2025.
  • Hearing: January 23, 2025 (Judiciary Committee).
  • Legislative actions recorded:
    • January 13, 2025: Referred to Judiciary Committee.
    • January 16, 2025: Notice of hearing issued.
    • June 6, 2025: Provisions/portions of LB26 amended into LB322 by AM767.
  • Current status: Provisions of LB26 have been incorporated into LB322 via amendment AM767; LB26 as a standalone measure is effectively folded into LB322.

Practical implications

  • Expands the scope of protected health care workers to include hospital and health clinic employees, potentially increasing penalties for assaults against a broader group of health care workers.
  • May affect hospital operational policies, staff safety programs, and legal strategy related to assaults on health care staff.

Sponsor

  • Primary sponsor: Senator Beau Ballard.

If you’d like, I can compare the LB26 text to the amended LB322 language to highlight specific cross-references and any minor drafting differences.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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