Guardianship, adoption clarifications passed

Senators passed a bill April 3 that changes several statutes relating to children.

LB908, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, primarily:
• permits juvenile courts to appoint guardians for abused or abandoned children;
• defines “abandonment” as a parent’s act of intentionally withholding from a child without just cause or excuse: presence, care, love, protection, maintenance and the opportunity to display affection;
• clarifies that guardianships and guardianship funding assistance can be extended when a child reaches 19 years old;
• allows a biological father to file an objection to an adoption and seek custody of a child at any time during a pregnancy and up to five days after receiving notification of a child’s birth; and
• enables young adults to request guardianship past age 19 and requires that guardianship assistance funding be used specifically for their benefit.

Senators passed the bill on a 49-0 vote.