All Roll Calls
Yes: 143 • No: 1
NebraskaLB70109th Legislature 1st and 2nd Sessionslegislature
Provide for adoption by a second adult person and change provisions relating to adoptions
Sponsored By: Wendy DeBoer
Signed by Governor
Judiciary Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Second adult adoption with written consent
The law lets a second adult adopt a child who has one legal parent. The sole legal parent must sign and file written consent. The child must be the second adult’s biological child and already have a parent‑child bond with them. The second adult cannot have had parental rights to the child ended before. An adoptive home study is required. The law defines a “sole legal parent” as a parent with no other person holding parental rights.
Child support and parenting rules apply
Children adopted by a second adult are covered by Nebraska child‑support and paternity laws. Both parents can be held responsible for support, and courts approve any settlements and may require a bond. Parenting Act procedures also apply to disputes between these parents. The child‑support definition changes apply to cases pending on June 5, 2025 and to filings on or after June 5, 2025.
Faster home study for recent adoptions
If the sole legal parent adopted the child less than six months before the second adult files, and the second adult was in that earlier home study, a new study is not required unless the court orders one. If six months or more have passed, a new adoptive home study is required. Courts may still order new studies or background checks and decide who pays.
Notice to possible biological fathers
When a mother says a child was born out of wedlock and contacts an agency or lawyer about adoption, the agency must try to find and notify the possible father. The notice explains his right to object, to seek paternity, or to relinquish or deny paternity. It must state that the mother has joined or plans to join the adoption case.
Out-of-state parents can adopt wards
People who live outside Nebraska can petition to adopt when the child was a ward of a court or the state at placement and at filing. In those ward cases, there is no Nebraska residency requirement for petitioners.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Wendy DeBoer
legislature
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
legislature vote • 4/24/2026
Vote
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 17
legislature vote • 2/27/2026
Final Reading
Yes: 47 • No: 1
legislature vote • 2/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 17
legislature vote • 2/4/2026
Vote
Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 17
Actions Timeline
Presented to Governor on February 27, 2026
3/3/2026legislatureApproved by Governor on March 3, 2026
3/3/2026legislatureDispensing of reading at large approved
2/27/2026legislaturePassed on Final Reading 47-1*-1
2/27/2026legislaturePresident/Speaker signed
2/27/2026legislaturePlaced on Final Reading
2/24/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER118 adopted
2/19/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment
2/19/2026legislaturePlaced on Select File with ER118
2/10/2026legislatureEnrollment and Review ER118 filed
2/10/2026legislatureJudiciary AM1660 adopted
2/4/2026legislatureAdvanced to Enrollment and Review Initial
2/4/2026legislaturePlaced on General File with AM1660
1/29/2026legislatureJudiciary AM1660 filed
1/29/2026legislatureTitle printed. Carryover bill
1/7/2026legislatureNotice of hearing for January 24, 2025
1/16/2025legislatureConrad name added
1/15/2025legislatureRaybould name added
1/14/2025legislatureReferred to Judiciary Committee
1/13/2025legislatureDate of introduction
1/9/2025legislature
Bill Text
Introduced
3/3/2026
Enrolled / Slip Law
Final / Enacted