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Bill

LB 928

Require notifications by the Department of Health and Human Services to fictive kin of a child who has been removed from the home

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Brad von Gillern

Nebraska bill requiring state child welfare agency to notify informal family members when children are removed from homes due to abuse or neglect.

Notice of hearing for January 28, 2026
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Bill Summary · LB 928

Legislative bill overview

LB 928 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to notify "fictive kin" (adults with significant family-like relationships to a child but no legal relation) when a child has been removed from their home due to abuse or neglect. The bill establishes notification protocols to ensure these informal caregivers and support figures receive timely information about the child's status and welfare proceedings.

Why is this important

Fictive kin often serve as critical support systems for children in crisis, providing emotional continuity and stability during traumatic separations from their primary homes. Without notification, these relationships may be inadvertently severed during state intervention, potentially destabilizing the child further and losing valuable resources for the child's wellbeing and eventual placement or reunification.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition and identification: Determining who qualifies as "fictive kin" could be subjective and administratively burdensome—the bill may lack clear criteria for DHHS to identify eligible individuals from potentially large informal networks.
  • Privacy and consent concerns: Notifying multiple individuals about a child's removal raises questions about the child's privacy, parental rights, and whether notifications should require parental consent or discretion.
  • Implementation costs: Expanding notification requirements adds administrative workload and potential liability for DHHS, which may already face resource constraints in child welfare cases.

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

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