The Nebraska Legislature is just over halfway through its 60-day session, the second year of the current biennium. With 1,000+ active bills, many still in committee, time is already running short. Bills designated as a priority by a senator, committee or the Speaker are those most likely to be debated before senators adjourn in April.

Among the legislation being considered by the Appropriations Committee are more than 90 bills addressing how to use Nebraska's $1 billion in one-time American Relief Plan Act (ARPA) funding to offset the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. LB1203, introduced by Senator Tom Briese (Dist. 4), outlines FFN's recommendations to invest $100.5 million of Nebraska's ARPA funds to strengthen the state's early childhood infrastructure. Among other priorities, the bill will boost the statewide early childhood workforce, build community child care capacity and address families' early childhood needs. Its hearing is set for March 1. Read FFN press release on LB1203

Here's the current status of early childhood bills First Five Nebraska is supporting this session.

LB702 (Senator Matt Williams, Dist. 36) reauthorizes the School Readiness Tax Credit for child care providers for an additional five years. The Revenue Committee has amended it into LB730, one of the committee's priority bills. Read FFN testimony | Read FFN policy brief

LB741 (Senator Wendy DeBoer, Dist.10) allows the state to gather and analyze Nebraska stillbirths data to help prevent these tragic outcomes. It advanced out of committee with an amendment that splits the state review team into two entities and adds a data abstractor. LB741 is on General File; Senator Tony Vargas has selected it as his priority bill. Read FFN testimony

LB758 (Senator Tom Brandt, Dist. 32) adds early childhood programs to the Nebraska Farm-to-School program, allowing them access to fresh, minimally processed food from local farms as well as educational activities. It is on Final Reading, the last round of debate. Read FFN testimony

LB782 (Senator Tony Vargas, Dist. 7) includes funding for the Nebraska Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (NPQIC), a leader in addressing critical issues for Nebraska mothers and babies. The Appropriations Committee heard the bill on January 28. Read FFN letter of support

LB838 (Senator Mark Kolterman, Dist. 24) creates a program that would assist eligible Nebraska child care providers to access health care benefits. It was initially heard on January 28. A second hearing was held February 22 after clarifying language was added to the bill with AM1889. Read FFN testimony for LB838 | Read FFN LB838 policy brief | Read FFN testimony for AM1889

LB854 (Senator Jen Day, Dist. 24) requires intra-agency notifications at the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services in certain cases of alleged out-of-home child abuse or neglect by a licensed child care provider. It was amended into LB1173, a Health and Human Services Committee priority bill, which was advanced to Select File, the second round of debate. Read FFN testimony

LB865 (Senator Wendy DeBoer, Dist. 10) increases reimbursement rates to 75% of the market rate for child care providers serving eligible children/families who utilize the child care subsidy, bringing it closer to private pay rates. The bill is in the Health and Human Services Committee following a hearing February 11. Read FFN letter of support

LB868 (Senator Adam Morfeld, Dist. 46) broadens educational requirements to allow more child care professionals to qualify for the School Readiness Tax Credit. It was voted out of the Education Committee and is on General File. Read FFN testimony

LB890 (Senator Lynne Walz, Dist. 15) changes the Tax Equity and Educational Opportunities Support Act (TEEOSA). It is on General File, the first round of legislative debate. Read FFN testimony

LB905 (Senator Lynne Walz, Dist. 15) recommends mental health screenings for mothers during the perinatal period and at well-child checkups during a child's first year. The Health and Human Services Committee unanimously advanced it to General File. Read FFN testimony

LB929 (Senator Anna Wishart, Dist. 27) extends postpartum coverage in Medicaid from 60 days to one year. It's in the Health and Human Services Committee following a January 26 hearing. Read FFN letter of support

LB1025 (Senator Terrell McKinney, Dist. 11) creates a grant program at the state Dept. of Economic Development to support implementation of the North Omaha Recovery Plan. The plan includes stipends to help defray child care costs for individuals who participate in job training and forgivable loans to support new and existing child care businesses. The Appropriations Committee heard the bill February 14. Read FFN testimony

LB1107 (Senator Jen Day, Dist. 49) codifies current regulations that allow child care providers to bill for up to five absent days a month for children served through the child care subsidy. It is intended to help stabilize providers' monthly income and support care for children who face obstacles to healthy development. The Health and Human Services Committee heard the bill on February 23. Read FFN testimony

Two new FFN website pages—Policy Priorities and Track Legislation—keep you up to date on bills we support along with approximately 50 other early childhood bills we're monitoring. Information in the legislative tracker is updated in real time from the Nebraska Legislature's website.

Follow our social media pages for daily bill updates: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Members of the FFN's third Early Childhood Policy Leadership Academy class concluded the program this month with a day at the Nebraska Capitol where they met with their senators about current legislation and attended floor debate and committee hearings.

Register for the Early Childhood Research Summit

Cutting-edge early childhood research at the University of Nebraska will be highlighted at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools' (CYFS) Research Summit April 13 in Lincoln. First Five Nebraska is proud to co-sponsor the daylong Summit that includes lunch and an evening reception. Learn more and register