On Feb. 21, LWVNE submitted written testimony in support of LB 516, a bill to change provisions relating to child abuse, the Child Protection and Family Safety Act, human trafficking, and child welfare services.

Download the submitted testimony or read the full text below.

Senator Steve Lathrop, Chair

Ms. Laurie Vollertsen, Clerk

Judiciary Committee

PO Box 94604

Lincoln, NE 68509

Re:  Lb 516 (Pansing Brooks)

Dear Senator Lathrop and Judiciary Committee Members:

We write in support of LB516, introduced by Senator Pansing Brooks and supported by Senators Linehan and Slama.  The League of Women Voters of Nebraska strongly supports the revision of child abuse language in Nebraska laws to include abusers who traffick or attempt to traffick minors into sexual or labor exploitation—and to remove time limitations for prosecution for such crimes.  We also believe it important to develop and provide services specifically for these victims and to include information on the number of services and outcomes for these victims in the annual child welfare report issued to the Legislature.

The U.S. League of Women Voters adopted its position on preventing violence in 2014.  The position supports the role of government in preventing violence. The LWV of Nebraska believes that including this new category of criminal behavior will clearly specify society’s intolerance of such behaviors—and hopefully reduce the terrible violence of such abuse of children.  

LWVNE supports LB 516 and hopes the Judiciary Committee and the Legislature also supports and approves and passes the bill.  .

Sincerely,

John F. Else                                                       

Director of Social Policy

Sherry Miller

President