Bill would require training in domestic abuse counseling
A bill that would require mental health practitioners in Nebraska to complete continuing education in domestic abuse counseling was heard by the Health and Human Services Committee Jan. 21.
LB825, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, would require mental health practitioners licensed under the Mental Health Practice Act to complete a minimum of two hours of continuing education in domestic abuse counseling every two years.
The bill would require such training be conducted by an individual who has a minimum of three years of experience working with offenders or victims of domestic abuse and has completed an additional 40 hours of domestic abuse related training.
Individuals who apply for a provisional mental health practitioner license also would be required to complete three hours of domestic abuse training, including training on:
• appropriate screening tools;
• indicators of high lethality or risk;
• documentation standards;
• appropriate referrals;
• advocacy and systems navigation;
• impacts on children;
• ethical practice; and
• trauma-informed and victim-centered care and safety planning.
Ballard said he introduced the measure to address growing rates of domestic violence related homicides in the state. The bill seeks to ensure that all mental health practitioners have the baseline training necessary to respond appropriately to complex and dangerous cases, he said.
“[LB825] comes out of a very real and troubling issue we are seeing in Nebraska,” Ballard said. “This bill is about safety, competency and prevention.”
Amy Cirian testified in support of the proposal on behalf of the Nebraska Domestic Abuse Death Review Team and the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.
She said the review team recommended implementing domestic violence counseling continuing education requirements for mental health professionals in their 2025 annual report.
Mental health practitioners and social workers often are among the first — and sometimes only — professionals to have sustained contact with individuals experiencing or perpetrating domestic violence, Cirian said.
“[In 2025] Nebraska experienced 30 domestic abuse-related victim deaths, including 11 murder-suicides,” she said. “Requiring domestic violence training is a reasonable, responsible and necessary step to strengthen our profession and better protect Nebraskans.”
Sarah Kirkwood, a licensed independent mental health practitioner, also spoke in support of LB825. She said improper training could lead clinicians to unintentionally misinterpret harmful behaviors and miss opportunities to connect survivors with resources and community support.
The recurring pattern of control and violence can be reinforced instead of stopped without proper training, Kirkwood said, which is why measures that prioritize clinical training and workforce support are critical to improving care and ensuring safety.
“When there is limited knowledge and training in this area, therapists can be used as another weapon against victims by unknowingly continuing emotional or mental abuse,” Kirkwood said. “By investing in training, we can empower clinicians to provide trauma-informed, safe and effective care for survivors of domestic violence.”
Maureen Brase of Lincoln also testified in support. Brase said she was not able to understand the patterns and dynamics of her own abuse until finding a mental health provider with training in domestic violence counseling.
No one testified in opposition to LB825 and the committee took no immediate action on the bill.
