LB485 Impact Study

What is LB485?

For the past 20 years, the income eligibility requirements for child care subsidy benefits in Nebraska have been among the most restrictive in the nation. In 2021, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB485, which temporarily changed those requirements from 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) to 185% FPL for subsidized care, and up to 200% FPL for transitional child care assistance. During the 2023 session of the Nebraska Unicameral, new legislation (LB227) was passed with provisions to extend the expanded income requirements until October 1, 2026.

Studying the effects of increased access to the child care subsidy

LB485 required an impact study to evaluate how the new income eligibility requirements affected Nebraska families, child care providers and communities. First Five Nebraska is leading this study in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) and in collaboration with researchers and experts on the child care subsidy. This project is intended to provide the Nebraska Legislature with information to determine if expanded eligibility for the subsidy should remain in place beyond the expiration. Extending the LB485 eligibility requirements with LB227 will allow additional time to complete the impact study.

Tell us how LB485 affected you

Numbers and data are important in analyzing the impact of LB485, but so are the voices of families, child care providers and communities. First Five Nebraska began conversations with Nebraskans statewide in May to collect input on how changes in income eligibility have affected their household finances, employment decisions, child care program operations and revenues, community-wide outcomes and more.

Get involved by learning more about the project and sign up to participate in one of the LB485 impact study conversations.

• Parents 
  • Parent impact study conversations have now concluded
  • About the Impact Study (PDF)
• Child Care Providers
  • Provider impact study conversations have now concluded
  • About the Impact Study (PDF)
• Community Stakeholders
  • Sign Up
  • About the Impact Study (PDF)

Anticipated project timeline

This timeline is based on the current progress of the impact study project.

• Spring through Summer 2023: Conversations with families, providers and community stakeholders. Participants in these conversations will have the opportunity to review collected information and receive updates on the progress of the project.
• Through Fall 2023: Ongoing data analysis.
• Fall 2023 through Spring 2024: Research team uses collected input and data to draft the LB485 report, explaining the economic impacts of the expanded income requirements on families, providers and communities.
• Summer 2024: Anticipated legislative hearing on the LB485 impact study.
• Winter/Spring 2025: Possible legislation introduced, if warranted by the findings of the LB485 impact study as well as the policy priorities of the Nebraska Legislature.

This webpage will be updated to reflect changes in the project timeline. Project updates will also be communicated directly to families, providers and community stakeholders who participate in any of the 2023 input sessions.