Sign Up
LB 78 Legislature · 109th Legislature (2025-2026)

Adopt the Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Assistance Act, change provisions relating to sentencing juveniles, and change the rate and allocation of the documentary stamp tax

LB 78, now law after being signed by the governor on May 20, 2025, creates a new housing assistance program for victims of domestic violence and sex trafficking. It establishes the Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Housing Assistance Fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, to provide rental payments, security deposits, and other housing-related support. The bill also modifies juvenile sentencing rules to require courts to consider if an offender was a victim of abuse or trafficking when deciding whether to impose imprisonment. These changes directly affect survivors seeking housing stability and offenders in juvenile court cases where victimization is relevant.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modifies documentary stamp tax allocation to fund new housing assistance program for survivors, directly advancing budget/tax funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates housing assistance for domestic violence/sex trafficking survivors and modifies juvenile sentencing to consider victim status, advancing victim support and rehabilitative sentencing reforms.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Domestic Violence and Sex Trafficking Survivor Housing Assistance Fund to provide rental payments and housing support, directly funding housing assistance for vulnerable populations.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Legislature Passage
May 2025
Legislature Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 9, 2025 Signed May 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Introduced → Enrollment and Review ER29 · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a new statute (29-2260) that allows courts to consider a defendant's status as a victim of abuse or trafficking when determining sentencing. This change expands the legal protections for victims by ensuring their victim status is formally recognized in criminal proceedings.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from solely establishing a survivor assistance fund and housing programs to also include sentencing considerations for defendants who are victims of abuse or trafficking.
ENFORCEMENT

Added new statute 29-2260 allowing courts to consider a defendant's victim status when determining sentencing considerations.

TECHNICAL

Added reference to the new statute 29-2260 in two locations within the bill text (page 1 line 2 and page 6 line 29) to ensure consistency across the document.

Floor votes · Legislature Mar 19, 2025

How they voted

43–0
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 49
Mar 19, 2025
N Nonpartisan49
43 Yea 6
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
2
Amendments
1
Jun 6, 2025
Introduced
Provisions/portions of LB159 amended into LB78 by AM737
legislature
May 21, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025
executive
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
President/Speaker signed
legislature
May 14, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Passed on Final Reading 49-0-0
legislature
Apr 9, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Bostar AM784 adopted
legislature
Apr 9, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Enrollment and Review ER29 adopted
legislature
Mar 19, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Guereca AM737 adopted
legislature
Mar 10, 2025
Legislature · Passed
Placed on General File
legislature
Jan 13, 2025
Committee
Referred to Revenue Committee
legislature
Jan 9, 2025
Introduced
Date of introduction
legislature
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Eliot Bostar
Eliot Bostar
NNonpartisan
NE
29