Nebraska has considered legislation to protect reasonable independence for kids both in 2022 and 2023.

Nebraska makes it criminal endangerment to leave a child under 6 in a vehicle at any time. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-710. The remainder of the statute defines endangerment as knowing or reckless causing of risk of danger to a child’s physical or mental health. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28.

Nebraska Revised Statute § 43-247 sets out a non-fault based system of adjudications for lack of proper care of a minor which seems extremely broad. It appears that actions affecting care necessary for the health, morals, or well-being can be sufficient to bring children into state custody without clear limits in the law. The law does not single out lack of supervision or set an age limit on when kids can be alone, however.

In 2022, Let Grow worked with a coalition of advocates including Nebraska Appleseed and a number of conservative groups, creating a strong bipartisan alliance in support of narrowing Nebraska’s vague neglect law and protecting children’s right to participate in independent activities.   Republican Sen. Ben Hansen sponsored LB 1000 with Democratic co-sponsors Justin Wayne and Terrell McKinney. Despite very strong support by dozens of proponents who testified at the Judiciary Committee hearing (and no opposition)  the bill did not succeed because it did not have a priority designation as is required to get a vote. In 2023, Sen. Hansen sponsored LB 42, with the same language as LB  with three Democratic cosponsors (Terrell McKinney,  Megan Hunt, and Danielle Conrad) but despite the repeat showing of very strong support at the public hearing in the Judiciary Committee, the county attorneys objected to the bill and were able to prevent a vote on it from occurring. 

This webpage is not a legal document, and Let Grow does not take responsibility for the content. Be mindful that some localities have rules and guidelines even when the state does not. When in doubt, consult your local authorities to confirm the laws where you live. What’s more, laws change, as do judicial interpretations of them, and this webpage may not be updated immediately.