Rep. John Cavanaugh

Maddy summaryLB 825 requires licensed mental health practitioners in Nebraska to complete at least two hours of domestic abuse training every two years. It also mandates that individuals seeking provisional mental health licenses must complete three hours of specific domestic abuse training covering screening tools, risk indicators, trauma-informed care, and referrals. The training must be provided by qualified instructors with relevant experience and additional certification. This applies to all licensed practitioners and provisional license holders under the Mental Health Practice Act, effective January 1, 2027. The bill defines domestic abuse using Nebraska's existing legal definition from section 42-903.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 938 creates a state tax-advantaged savings program to help first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals to contribute up to $5,000 annually (or $10,000 for joint filers) to designated savings accounts, reducing their state taxable income. Contributions can be used for eligible home purchase costs like down payments, closing fees, or construction financing for a primary residence in Nebraska. The program limits lifetime contributions to $25,000 per individual ($50,000 for joint filers) and requires account holders to designate a qualified beneficiary (the homebuyer) by April 15 each year. This directly affects first-time homebuyers who meet the definition: individuals without prior primary residence ownership or those divorced and not on title for 3+ years.

Maddy summaryLB 880 prohibits Nebraska residential landlords from banning or charging extra fees for rent payments made via electronic transfer (such as direct deposit or online payment systems). It directly affects landlords renting residential properties and their tenants who use electronic payment methods. The law requires landlords to accept these payments without restrictions and without additional charges, amending the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. This ensures tenants can use convenient payment options without financial penalties.

Maddy summaryLB 971 requires most health insurance plans in Nebraska to cover prescribed asthma inhalers without cost-sharing. It directly affects people with asthma who have health insurance, mandating coverage for one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler per year when prescribed by a doctor. The bill prohibits deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific inhalers, though high-deductible plans may still apply annual deductibles if needed to maintain health savings account eligibility. This policy change ensures immediate access to essential asthma medications without out-of-pocket costs for covered individuals.

Maddy summaryLB 970 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment seeking federal approval to add early literacy promotion and intervention services to well-child visits under the existing Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. This change would directly affect children under 21 covered by Nebraska Medicaid who receive routine well-child checkups. The bill mandates that these visits include screenings and interventions for early literacy development, integrating this service into the current EPSDT framework. The key mechanism is the submission of a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval. This policy change would expand the scope of preventive services provided during standard pediatric visits for Medicaid-eligible children.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.

Maddy summaryLB 755 adopts the Emergency Service Peer Support Act to establish confidential peer support programs for emergency service employees, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, correctional officers, and hospital staff. The bill defines "peer support" as structured programs where trained peers provide emotional, practical, and resource-based assistance to colleagues facing personal or professional challenges, with all communications kept strictly confidential. It mandates that peer support sessions begin with the peer confirming confidentiality and prohibits disclosure of these sessions in any legal, disciplinary, or administrative proceeding. This law protects employees from having private discussions used against them while ensuring peer support remains a safe, accessible resource for mental health resilience.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1017 establishes a $3,500 annual limit on individual contributions to candidate committees during an election period (calendar year). It requires committees to refund any contributions exceeding this amount within 10 days and report the excess, but does not apply to a candidate's own personal funds. Starting in 2029, the limit will automatically adjust every two years based on the Consumer Price Index, rounded to the nearest $100. This bill directly affects individual donors and candidate committees by setting a concrete contribution cap with built-in inflation adjustments.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 753 amends the Protection Orders Act to ensure military protective orders are recognized and enforced within the state. It requires peace officers to check if a military protective order exists when arresting active-duty military members and to notify the issuing authority if violations are suspected. The bill also allows military protective orders to be admitted as evidence in Nebraska court proceedings for protection orders. This directly affects military service members, their families, and civilians seeking protection orders involving military personnel. The change harmonizes state law with federal military protections without creating new obligations.

Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Nebraska to cover supportive housing services through Medicaid by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval. It establishes a "Housing First" approach - providing permanent housing without conditions (like sobriety requirements) paired with voluntary support services such as housing transition, tenancy stabilization, and care coordination. The bill creates a dedicated fund to cover both Medicaid-eligible services and non-Medicaid housing costs (e.g., short-term rental assistance). It directly affects Nebraskans experiencing or at risk of homelessness by expanding access to stable housing with integrated support.