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NebraskaLB70109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

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: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Second-adult adoption for one-parent families

The law lets a second adult adopt a child who has a sole legal parent. It requires: the sole parent's written consent; an existing parent-child relationship; the child is the second adult's biological child; the second adult never had parental rights to this child ended; and a completed adoptive home study. If the sole parent adopted the child less than six months ago and the second adult was in that study, no new study is needed unless the court orders it. After six months, a separate home study is required. The consent must say the child has a sole legal parent and that the parent wants this adoption.

Child support after second-adult adoption

Both parents of a child adopted by a second adult are liable for child support when parentage is set. You can bring a support or medical support case for these children, and the court can order support from either or both parents. Usual enforcement applies, including income withholding, genetic testing, bonds, contempt, and fees. Courts can approve voluntary support settlements that bind the parties, and those orders bind a deceased parent's estate. A parent's duty ends when they follow the order, follow an approved settlement, or the child is adopted by someone else. Disputes over parenting functions for these children are handled under the Parenting Act.

Two-parent cap and spouse must join

A child cannot have more than two legal parents. The court stops any adoption that would create a third parent. If you are married, your spouse must join the petition and adopt with you.

More documents before adoption hearing

Before the adoption hearing, you must file all required consents and notices. You must also file a preplacement home study when the law requires it. Missing documents can delay or stop the hearing.

Stronger notice to possible fathers

Agencies or lawyers must try to identify and notify possible biological fathers. The notice names the mother and says if she plans to relinquish or join a second-adult adoption. It explains how a father can deny paternity, waive rights, consent, or object. A putative father may file an objection during pregnancy or within 10 business days after birth. An acknowledged or adjudicated father may object in court within 45 days after birth or after getting notice, whichever is later.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wendy DeBoer

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 143 • No: 1

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

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 0 • Other: 17

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor on March 3, 2026

    3/3/2026legislature

  2. Presented to Governor on February 27, 2026

    3/3/2026legislature

  3. President/Speaker signed

    2/27/2026legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 47-1*-1

    2/27/2026legislature

  5. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    2/27/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    2/24/2026legislature

  7. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    2/19/2026legislature

  8. Enrollment and Review ER118 adopted

    2/19/2026legislature

  9. Enrollment and Review ER118 filed

    2/10/2026legislature

  10. Placed on Select File with ER118

    2/10/2026legislature

  11. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    2/4/2026legislature

  12. Judiciary AM1660 adopted

    2/4/2026legislature

  13. Judiciary AM1660 filed

    1/29/2026legislature

  14. Placed on General File with AM1660

    1/29/2026legislature

  15. Title printed. Carryover bill

    1/7/2026legislature

  16. Notice of hearing for January 24, 2025

    1/16/2025legislature

  17. Conrad name added

    1/15/2025legislature

  18. Raybould name added

    1/14/2025legislature

  19. Referred to Judiciary Committee

    1/13/2025legislature

  20. Date of introduction

    1/9/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/9/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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