Bill > LB442

This bill establishes a comprehensive state child care subsidy program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, which will provide child care assistance to families with incomes between 130% and 400% of the federal poverty level starting October 1, 2026. The program includes several key provisions: child care providers must comply with criminal history record checks, and the state will use a sliding-scale methodology for determining family contributions, with 10% of a household's gross earned income being disregarded after 12 continuous months. The program will be funded through a payroll tax of 0.52%, with employers paying 0.39% and employees paying 0.13%, and no general funds will be used to cover program costs. Child care providers will be reimbursed based on a fixed-rate schedule that varies by provider category and type of care (such as infant or special needs care), which will be updated annually. The bill also includes special provisions for apprentice workers, offering them the highest level of child care assistance, and requires licensed child care programs to make reasonable accommodations for employees who are parents to ensure they can receive child care assistance.

Health and Social Services

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59683