Foster youth bill amended, advanced

A bill designed to normalize life for Nebraska’s foster youth was amended to extend authorization of a commission before being advanced to final reading March 7.

LB746, sponsored by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, would implement a federal law designed to promote normalcy for foster youth.

Among other provisions, the bill would establish the Normalcy Task Force, with members appointed by the Nebraska Children’s Commission.

Campbell brought an amendment, adopted 33-0, to add provisions of LB1034, which she also introduced. The provisions would extend the termination date of the Nebraska Children’s Commission to June 30, 2019. The commission currently is scheduled to terminate June 30, 2016.

Campbell said the commission has been helpful to the Legislature by providing insight and recommendations regarding improvements to the state’s child welfare system.

Juvenile justice youth were transferred to the state’s judicial branch in 2013, Campbell said, and a change in the law is needed to give the commission express authority to study juvenile justice issues.

“[The amendment] extends the Nebraska Children’s Commission through 2019 and updates the duties of the commission to more accurately reflect the work that they’ve been doing,” she said.

The amendment would require that no member of the commission have a private financial interest, profit or benefit from any of the commission’s work. It also would require the commission to develop a system of care plan and analyze case management workforce issues.

Sen. Kate Bolz of Lincoln supported the amendment, saying the commission would be looking at important issues for lawmakers to consider next session—particularly how to recruit and retain caseworkers in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

“I think that’s really a linchpin in improving quality and efficiency in these systems,” Bolz said.

The amendment also would harmonize requirements regarding guardians ad litem as adopted last session and make other technical changes.

Following adoption of the Campbell amendment, LB746 advanced to final reading by voice vote.