Nebraska Bill Aims to Reduce Missing Black Women Cases

Omaha Senator Ashlei Spivey works with Camisha Hollis' family on legislation to address racial disparities in missing persons cases.

Feb. 24, 2026 at 11:19pm

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A new bill in the Nebraska legislature, LB 751, aims to address the disproportionate number of missing Black women in the state. Introduced by Omaha Senator Ashlei Spivey, the bill is inspired by the case of Camisha Hollis, a 34-year-old Black woman who went missing from her Omaha home in 2018 and whose remains have never been found. The bill would require the Nebraska State Patrol to conduct a study on racial disparities in missing persons cases and submit a report to the legislature.

Why it matters

Black Americans make up over 14% of the U.S. population but account for nearly 40% of missing persons cases nationally. In Nebraska, Black residents make up less than 6% of the state's population but over 23% of missing persons listed by the Nebraska Missing Persons Clearinghouse. This legislation aims to shed light on these racial disparities and spur action to better support and prioritize cases involving missing Black women.

The details

Senator Spivey is working closely with Camisha Hollis' younger sister, Caprice Hollis, and one of Camisha's now high-school-aged daughters on the bill. Camisha's boyfriend of nearly two decades, Marvin Young, was eventually charged with and convicted of manslaughter in her disappearance, though her remains have never been found. Caprice Hollis believes there were discrepancies in how her sister's case was handled compared to other missing women in the area.

  • Camisha Hollis went missing from her Omaha home in April 2018.
  • Marvin Young was charged with first-degree murder and later convicted of manslaughter in Camisha's disappearance.
  • LB 751 is about to cross the finish line in the Nebraska Unicameral.
  • The bill would require the Nebraska State Patrol to submit a report to the legislature's Executive Board by June 1, 2027.

The players

Camisha Hollis

A 34-year-old Black woman who went missing from her Omaha home in 2018. Her remains have never been found.

Caprice Hollis

Camisha Hollis' younger sister, who is working with Senator Spivey on the legislation.

Marvin Young

Camisha Hollis' boyfriend of nearly two decades, who was convicted of manslaughter in her disappearance.

Ashlei Spivey

An Omaha state senator who introduced LB 751 to address racial disparities in missing persons cases in Nebraska.

Nebraska State Patrol

The agency that would be required to conduct a study on racial disparities in missing persons cases and submit a report to the legislature under LB 751.

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What they’re saying

“My sister's [life] was taken out of selfishness and there's no decency to even give her back to us.”

— Caprice Hollis, Camisha Hollis' younger sister

“My hope is that we bring all of these different perspectives, everyone that's a part of this ecosystem that cares, to really help create the strongest solutions possible.”

— Ashlei Spivey, Nebraska state senator

“I think it's really important for anyone that if we say that we want women and children to be safe and cared for in Nebraska, then you should do that. No matter if you have that shared identity or not.”

— Ashlei Spivey, Nebraska state senator

What’s next

LB 751 is about to cross the finish line in the Nebraska Unicameral. If passed, the Nebraska State Patrol would be required to submit a report to the legislature's Executive Board by June 1, 2027 on their findings from a study on racial disparities in missing persons cases.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to shed light on the disproportionate number of missing Black women in Nebraska and spur action to better support and prioritize these cases. It's a step towards addressing systemic racial inequities in how missing persons cases are handled and investigated in the state.