Bill > LB13

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to file a state plan amendment related to the federal Child Care Subsidy program, specifically changing how child care providers are reimbursed. The amendment would shift provider payments from being based on a child's actual attendance to being based on a child's enrollment or authorized hours, which could provide more financial stability for child care providers. The bill builds upon existing provisions of the Child Care Assistance program, which currently allows families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level (before October 1, 2026) to receive child care assistance. The legislation maintains other existing program features, such as disregarding 10% of a household's gross earned income when determining ongoing eligibility and providing transitional child care assistance for families whose income slightly exceeds the initial eligibility threshold. The bill does not require additional state general funds to implement these changes, and instead proposes using existing federal block grant funds. Additionally, the bill suggests an independent evaluation of the income eligibility changes, to be completed by July 1, 2024, if private funding is available.

Health and Social Services

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59107