Healthcare (Mental Health) in Nebraska

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 553: Change provisions of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act

Nebraska's LB 553 expands eligibility under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include dietitian nutritionist students and professionals in loan programs. It adds "dietitian nutritionist program" to qualifying education pathways for student loans and includes dietitian nutritionists in the loan repayment program, with a $15,000 annual cap and $45,000 lifetime maximum for full-time practice in designated health shortage areas. The bill also requires the commission to designate shortage areas specifically for dietitian nutritionist practice and mandates that recipients agree to practice in these areas and accept Medicaid patients. This change harmonizes dietitian nutritionist provisions with existing categories like physicians and mental health practitioners. The bill was amended into LB 312 before passing.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 706: Require adult protective services social workers to accompany law enforcement officers

LB 706 requires law enforcement officers to be accompanied by trained adult protective services (APS) social workers during calls involving individuals with mental health concerns or a history of mental illness. Dispatchers must screen calls for mental health issues, flag them as "Mental Health Priority," and notify nearby APS social workers to join the response. The APS social worker takes the lead in interactions, using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care to reduce the risk of harm. Law enforcement agencies must create written policies for this process, which the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement will review annually for compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 454: Change provisions relating to regional behavioral health authorities and the Behavioral Health Services Fund

LB 454 amends Nebraska law to update rules for regional behavioral health authorities and establish the Behavioral Health Services Fund. It requires these authorities to adopt uniform fee policies based on consumer income (not exceeding service costs), mandate competitive bidding for services unless specific exemptions apply, and maintain separate budgets for behavioral health funding. The new Behavioral Health Services Fund will provide grants, loans, and reimbursements to support community-based behavioral health services statewide, including housing assistance for very low-income adults with serious mental illness. These changes directly affect regional behavioral health authorities, behavioral health providers, and consumers receiving public behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Procurement Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 369: Allow persons eighteen years of age to make health care decisions and persons under nineteen years of age in correctional facilities to consent to medical and mental health care

Nebraska bill LB 369 changes the age at which certain health decisions can be made without parental consent. It allows individuals aged 18 or older to make their own medical and mental health care decisions, removing the need for parental or guardian approval. The bill also specifically permits youth under 19 who are committed to the Department of Correctional Services to consent to their own medical and mental health care during their incarceration, without parental consent (except as required by other law). This amendment modifies Section 43-2101 of Nebraska law to update these consent provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 351: Change requirements for priority of admission to state hospitals for the mentally ill

LB 351 changes the priority order for admitting patients to Nebraska's state hospitals for the mentally ill. It establishes five priority categories: (1) patients needed for public safety, (2) defendants in jail deemed incompetent, (3) patients committed under mental health laws, (4) those most likely to benefit from treatment, and (5) indigent patients when other categories are equal. The bill also requires state hospitals to allocate specific bed percentages to each category (e.g., 30% for committed patients) and reserve 30% of beds for flexible allocation to reduce waitlists. Additionally, it mandates weekly public reporting on facility capacity and wait times by the Department of Health and Human Services. This bill directly affects patients seeking mental health hospitalization and state facilities managing admissions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

passed · Nebraska · Legislature May 12, 2025

LR 143: Recognize May 2025 as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month in Nebraska

This legislative resolution (LR 143) designates May 2025 as "Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month" in Nebraska. It recognizes the need for greater awareness around perinatal mental health issues affecting pregnant and new parents, citing statistics that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men experience perinatal mood disorders, and 18% of pregnancy-related deaths in Nebraska involved mental health factors. The resolution expresses legislative support for individuals diagnosed with these conditions but does not create new laws or funding. It is a symbolic measure aimed at raising public awareness, not a policy requiring action from state agencies or providers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 621: State legislative intent regarding appropriations and provide for transfers from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund

LB 621 mandates annual transfers from Nebraska's Medicaid Intergovernmental Trust Fund and Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund into the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund. It specifies exact transfer amounts (e.g., $61.654 million for 2025-26) and requires adjustments based on unused funds in the Health Care Cash Fund. The bill also directs funding for community health centers (e.g., $700,000 per center for expanded services like dental or behavioral health) and pancreatic cancer research at UNMC, contingent on matching private funds. These transfers and funding allocations are legally required, with the State Treasurer responsible for implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 581: Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services

LB 581 was a funding bill that allocated $3,000,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025-26 to Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services. The funds were specifically designated for behavioral health services for youth in facilities that also operate early childhood development centers. The bill was amended into another measure (LB261) on June 6, 2025, and did not create new policies or regulations. It directly affected youth receiving behavioral health services at participating facilities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics State Budget Mental Health

All healthcare bills