Nebraska lawmakers hear testimony from families affected by domestic violence

Families who lost loved ones to domestic violence brought emotional testimony to the Nebraska Legislature on Friday, urging lawmakers to strengthen laws they say could prevent future deaths.The push comes after a deadly year for domestic violence in Nebraska, particularly in Lincoln, where police reported domestic-related violent crimes increased by nearly 25% in 2025.Among those testifying was Belinda Hagen, the stepmother of Jamie Hagen, who was killed in a domestic violence incident last year. Hagen spoke in support of LB1000, a bill aimed at increasing penalties for repeat violations of protection orders.“Our sense of safety, security and trust have been shattered in every capacity,” Hagen told lawmakers. “Jamie followed the letter of the law. She did everything a survivor should.”PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man charged with murder in Seward homicide investigation held on bond during court appearanceHagen said the proposed changes could help “prevent outcomes that have stolen the future and the life we thought we would have.”LB1000, introduced by Sen. Jason Prokop, would raise the penalty for a third violation of a protection order to a Class IIIA felony and a fourth violation to a Class IIA felony. “Protection orders are only as good as if they are followed,” Prokop said. “This is meant to be a deterrent so that people abide by those protection orders.”READ MORE: ‘Larger issue than any one of us’: Package of bills introduced aimed at domestic violenceLaw enforcement leaders say repeat violations often increase the level of danger to the victim.“Each time that they violate the protection order, we risk their behavior also escalating,” said Lincoln police Chief Michon Morrow.The Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association raised concerns about the proposal, arguing that harsher penalties could lead to increased prison time, particularly in cases involving what lobbyist Spike Eickholt called “mutual violations,” where both parties consent to breaking the order.“To make these things felonies so that prosecutors can’t as easily reduce them down,” Eickholt said. “You’re going to be incarcerating people in these situations.”RELATED COVERAGE: ‘We can’t always see it’: Domestic violence 911 calls on the riseLawmakers also heard testimony on another bill that would create clearer procedures for people subject to protection orders to surrender their firearms — something already required under state law.“Right now, there’s no enforcement when you get that protection order,” said Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln.Under the proposal, firearms could be stored with willing law enforcement, a firearms dealer or shooting range or transferred to a third party who is not subject to a restraining order, including a family member.”Other states are seeing a success of a decreased number of fatalities and terrible tragedies,” Raybould said. Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |