LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — It would be more difficult to remove American Indian children from their families under a measure being considered in the Nebraska Legislature.
The bill by Senator Colby Coash of Lincoln would clarify hazy terms already in Nebraska law, strengthening protections of cultural identities for children by engaging tribal government and extended family mediation before removing children from tribal homes.
American Indian children represent just 2 percent of Nebraska's children but account for more than 5 percent of all children in out-of-home placement, one of the highest disparities in the nation, according to 2014 data from Nebraska's Foster Care Review Office.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to discuss advancing the bill on Tuesday.
The bill is LB566.
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