LINCOLN — Among the more than 500 new bills introduced in Nebraska’s 2026 legislative session were at least nine that seek to improve the state’s responses to domestic violence allegations. The Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence celebrated the introduction of these bills at a press conference in the Capitol rotunda Wednesday. Thirteen state senators, including introducers and supporters, attended, many wearing purple to signify support for domestic violence awareness.

Christon MacTaggart, the nonprofit’s executive director, said addressing domestic violence is a larger task than one bill can accomplish. She spoke on the need to fill existing gaps in services that have let some victims fall through the cracks.The bills highlighted Wednesday would address a range of different areas related to domestic violence services. Some would increase penalties for domestic violence related charges, others are looking to improve reports of domestic abuse, and a few are focused on enforcement of existing laws.

“We know that domestic violence thrives in silence, and also in the gaps in how we respond,” MacTaggart said. “The legislation highlighted today will hopefully respond to the realities of what those victims are experiencing and address these gaps.” Amy Cirian, domestic abuse death review team coordinator for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, said there were 30 domestic abuse-related victim deaths in 2025 alone. From July 2022 to July 2025, seven children were killed as a result of a domestic homicide, and 49 children lost a parent to a domestic homicide.

Cirian said the cases are not only devastating to communities and children, they also strain some of Nebraska’s systems meant to respond to victims.

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