All Roll Calls
Yes: 259 • No: 0
NebraskaLB1032109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET
Provide for recognition and enforcement of tribal customary adoptions under the Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Act and related laws
Sponsored By: Wendy DeBoer
Signed by Governor
Judiciary Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher bar to end rights for Indian children
The court cannot end parental rights for an Indian child who may be placed by tribal customary adoption unless it finds that staying with the parent will likely cause serious emotional or physical harm and that tribal customary adoption is not appropriate. If the tribe got proper notice and did not object by the first appearance, that can support the court’s action.
Tribal adoptions recognized with tribe-only consent
Nebraska courts treat tribal customary adoptions like any other adoption. For these adoptions, the tribe’s written consent is the only consent required. When the tribal court sends a final order with the required details, the state court enters a decree without a separate state petition and the case closes. The state decree cannot order birth parents to pay child support.
Post-adoption help up to $2,000
The Department of Health and Human Services may pay maintenance and medical costs after an adoption, including tribal customary adoptions. These payments end no later than the child’s 20th birthday. The Department may also make a one-time payment up to $2,000 for a child with special needs to cover reasonable, necessary, and not otherwise reimbursed adoption expenses. The adoption must be legally complete to get these payments.
Simpler tribal adoption process and timelines
If the court selects tribal customary adoption and the tribe consents in writing, the tribal court gets temporary authority to finish the adoption. The tribal court has 120 days to finalize it and return the case, or the authority ends unless the state court grants a short extension for good cause. Within 30 days of the transfer, the Department must tell the tribe what the final order must include and share a child report and court filings as allowed by law. A tribe may conduct the adoptive home study using its cultural standards if it meets national tribal licensing norms, and the state court must accept it. The Department and the Nebraska Supreme Court may adopt rules and forms to carry this out.
Stronger notice in Indian child cases
When an Indian child is involved, anyone seeking foster care placement or to end parental rights must mail a formal notice to the parents, the Indian custodian, and the tribe. The court waits at least 10 days after notice is received and can allow up to 20 more days to prepare. Before changing a permanency plan away from returning home, the tribe must get notice at least 20 days before the hearing and can object. If the tribe objects that tribal customary adoption is right, the court must deny the change or keep or make that plan unless it is not in the child’s best interests.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wendy DeBoer
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 4/10/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 49 • No: 0
legislature vote • 3/31/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 3/31/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
legislature vote • 3/31/2026
Vote
Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on April 16, 2026
4/17/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
4/10/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 49-0-0
4/10/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
4/10/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
4/8/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File
4/7/2026legislatureKauth FA691 withdrawn
4/7/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
4/7/2026legislatureDeBoer AM2961 to AM2847 filed
3/31/2026legislatureDeBoer AM2961 adopted
3/31/2026legislatureJudiciary AM2847 adopted
3/31/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
3/31/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM2847
3/25/2026legislatureJudiciary AM2847 filed
3/25/2026legislatureConrad name added
3/3/2026legislatureState-Tribal Relations priority bill
2/19/2026legislatureDeKay name added
2/17/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for February 12, 2026
2/3/2026legislatureReferred to Judiciary Committee
1/16/2026legislatureKauth FA691 filed
1/15/2026legislatureDate of introduction
1/14/2026legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
4/17/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted