Policy Priorities
Count on us to help keep you informed about policies that affect our youngest Nebraskans.
Nebraska early childhood legislation
Informed citizens and advocates play an important role in Nebraska’s political process. First Five Nebraska monitors and reports on legislation in the Unicameral related to the care and education of young children. This includes policy developments affecting child care, the early childhood workforce, economic development, maternal and child health, prenatal-to-age-3, K-3 education and a wide range of related issues.
Policy priorities
The first session of the 108th Nebraska Legislature adjourned sine die June 1, 2023. First Five Nebraska’s policy priorities this session focused on bills to strengthen the quality and accountability of our state’s early childhood systems, ease burdens on the early childhood professional workforce, incentivize private investments in child care and improve the health outcomes of expectant mothers and children.
LR151 | Examine the results of the Nebraska Child Care Cost Model developed through the Preschool Development Grant
Introducer: Senator Wendy DeBoer
Summary: An interim study to examine the results of the Nebraska Child Care Cost Model developed as a product of the Preschool Development Grant. The Nebraska Child Care Cost Model is a tool for answering questions about the cost of providing child care in Nebraska based on multiple data points specific to the child care landscape and cost drivers of Nebraska.
Status: Public hearing on October 11, 2023
LR154 | Examine Nebraska's maternal care deserts
Introducer: Senator Jen Day
Summary: An interim study to examine Nebraska’s maternal care deserts. A significant number of Nebraska counties are now considered “maternal care deserts” meaning that the counties have no obstetric hospitals or birth centers and no obstetric providers. Women who live in counties without access to maternal care face a higher risk of a number of poor health outcomes.
Status: Public hearing on October 25, 2023
LR191 | Examine the fingerprinting background check process for the child care workforce
Introducer: Senator Theresa Ibach
Summary: An interim study to examine the process for conducting the statutorily required fingerprint-based national criminal history record information check for the childhood care workforce.
Status: Public hearing on October 11, 2023
LR251 | Explore apprenticeship programs for early childhood care and education
Introducer: Senator Robert Dover
Summary: An interim study to explore the development of registered apprenticeship program sponsors within Nebraska’s education system for early childhood care and education. Nationally, the apprenticeship model has been shown to be an effective tool for training students in early childhood care and education.
Status: Referred to Education Committee
LB64 | Require the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to provide notice in certain cases of child abuse and neglect
Introducer: Senator Jen Day
Summary: Requires the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to notify parents of children at a licensed child care facility when an instance of child abuse or neglect is substantiated.
Status: To be carried over for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature
LB65 | Change provisions relating to the complaint tracking system and disciplinary action under the Child Care Licensing Act
Introducer: Senator Jen Day
Summary: Requires Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) to identify whether child care licensing violations are self-reported or the result of a complaint. Also requires NDHHS to notify parents of disciplinary actions against a child care license holder.
Status: To be carried over for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature
LB115 | Adopt the Family Home Visitation Act
Introducer: Senator Jane Raybould
Summary: Defines “home visiting” in statute, asks the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to create a pamphlet and a website that includes all home visiting programs that meet the definition, and requires an annual report to the Legislature on home visiting.
Status: To be carried over for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature
LB319 | Create funds, transfer funds and provide for child care funding
Introducer: Senator Eliot Bostar
Summary: Provides a one-time cash reserve transfer of $50 million for the Nebraska Early Learning Endowment Fund (Sixpence), $10 million for Nebraska NAEYC WAGE$ and $40 million for capacity-building grants for child care providers.
Status: To be carried over for second session of 108th Nebraska Legislature
Elizabeth Lopez Everett
Deputy Director, Public Policy Manager