Nebraska legislature adopts key amendments to Medicaid recovery and juvenile justice reform bills

The Nebraska Legislature convened on May 1, 2025, for a Legislative Morning Session, addressing several key bills and amendments. The session began with Senator Bostar encouraging support for Legislative Bill (LB) 641, which focuses on Medicaid estate recovery processes. The bill's committee amendment, AM 0538, was discussed, which aims to refine the conditions under which the Department of Health and Human Services can foreclose on a deceased Medicaid recipient's home. The amendment limits protections to siblings and adult children who provided care, requiring a physician's written attestation to prove care was given.

Senator Bostar also introduced a subsequent amendment, AM 0672, to restore language that had been removed from the original bill, which was deemed necessary for compliance with federal law. This amendment received support from Senator Hallstrom, who emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of family caregivers in reducing state costs associated with institutional care.

Following the discussion on LB 641, the session moved to LB 32, introduced by Senator Hunt, which allows candidates to use a P.O. Box instead of their home address on campaign materials. This bill, which aims to enhance political accountability while protecting candidates' privacy, passed with unanimous support.

The session continued with LB 530, a bill addressing motor vehicle laws, including increased penalties for speeding and provisions for vulnerable road users. Senator Kaut highlighted the bipartisan support for the bill, which aims to enhance road safety.

Senator Spivey raised concerns regarding LB 684, particularly about the implications of creating a "super predator" category for juveniles. Spivey proposed several amendments aimed at reducing penalties for young offenders and ensuring that rehabilitation is prioritized over punitive measures. However, these amendments faced opposition and were ultimately not adopted.

The session concluded with discussions on LB 44, which seeks to extend the time frame for post-conviction relief for individuals sentenced as juveniles. Senator McKinney advocated for this bill, arguing that young individuals often lack the resources and knowledge to navigate the legal system effectively. Despite some concerns about potential unintended consequences, the bill received support from several senators.

Overall, the session reflected ongoing efforts to refine legislation related to healthcare, political accountability, road safety, and juvenile justice, with a focus on balancing accountability and rehabilitation. The discussions highlighted the complexities of legislative processes and the importance of collaboration among senators to address the needs of Nebraskans.