Family law measure passed

Senators made a number of changes to family law in Nebraska under a bill passed April 12.

LB741, introduced by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, separates the State Child and Maternal Death Review Team into the State Child Death Review Team and the State Maternal Death Review Team.

The bill allows the State Child Death Review Team to review stillbirths that occur after Jan. 1, 2023, to help identify preventable causes of stillbirths, defined as a death for which a fetal death certificate was issued by the state. The team is not required to review all stillbirths but the bill allows it or any agency that derives its authority from the state Department of Health and Human Services to access and analyze stillbirth data.

The bill includes provisions of three additional bills, including LB245, introduced by DeBoer, which makes several changes to adoption law — including streamlining the notification and objection process for fathers and eliminating guardians ad litem.

Provisions of LB1009, introduced by Plymouth Sen. Tom Brandt, create a nine-member Domestic Abuse Death Review Team appointed by the Nebraska attorney general. The team will investigate domestic abuse deaths to determine causes and contributing factors that led to an individual dying by homicide or suicide as the result of domestic violence.

Also included are provisions of LB901, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks, which require DHHS to create materials on cytomegalovirus transmission, birth defects caused by the disease and available preventative measures and treatments. Information will be published on the department’s website and be made available to health care facilities and providers.

Senators passed LB741 on a 46-0 vote.