The 108th Nebraska Legislature was gaveled into session January 4 in Lincoln with 16 new state senators and 10 senators re-elected for a second term. Early in the proceedings, senators elected Senator John Arch (District 14) as Speaker of the Legislature. Newly elected chairs for standing committees included Senator Robert Clements (District 14, Appropriations), Senator Ben Hansen (District 16, Health and Human Services), Senator Dave Murman (District 38, Education) and Senator Lou Ann Linehan (District 39, Revenue).

Senators introduced 812 bills this first session of the biennium. Each bill will receive a public hearing before a committee, and senators then will vote whether to forward it to the full Legislature for debate.

First Five Nebraska's legislative priorities this year address child care subsidy, severe maternal morbidity, home visiting and child care tax credits. These bills include:

Requires the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) to notify parents of incidents of abuse or neglect at their child care program within 10 days. Hearing: February 2 before the Health and Human Services Committee

Allows the state Maternal Mortality Review team to review critical incidents during labor or delivery that threatened mothers' lives, but did not result in their death. This broader set of data will enable committee members to make more informed recommendations for prevention efforts. Hearing: January 25 before the Health and Human Services Committee

LB115  Adopt the Family Home Visitation Act (Senator Jane Raybould, District 28)
Defines “home visiting” in statute and requires an annual report to the Legislature about delivery and outcomes of home visiting initiatives in Nebraska. Hearing: February 2 before the Health and Human Services Committee

Creates a package of refundable and nonrefundable tax credits to benefit families with young children and child care providers, and incentivizes private sector investments in child care.

Secures funds for Sixpence, the Child Care WAGE$ program and capacity-building grants for child care providers.

Follow FFN on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for updates on bills related to early childhood issues. You also can follow in real time as bills move through the legislative process using the Legislation Tracker on our website.