Children’s behavioral health committee reauthorized
Senators adopted a resolution Feb. 12 that allows the Children’s Behavioral Health Oversight Committee (also known as the LB603 Committee) to continue its work through the current calendar year.
Introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, LR31 reauthorizes the committee until the beginning of the 103rd Legislature, Second Session. The committee was created in 2009 to provide oversight of programs created in the wake of the state’s safe haven crisis to assist families and children in need of behavioral health services.
The Legislature has since created the Nebraska Children’s Commission, Campbell said, which will take up the current committee’s work. She said the extension will allow time for an orderly transition of oversight duties.
“It is most fitting that we complete the work and oversight of the LB603 Committee and hand it over to the Children’s Commission,” she said.
Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas supported the resolution, saying that some issues are so complex and pressing that the Legislature’s standing committees need assistance in addressing them.
“In light of term limits it’s even more important that we have the information that we need at our fingertips … [and] with these special committees, we’re able to generate that information,” Dubas said.
The resolution was adopted on a 39-0 vote.
