Bill > LB1177

This bill establishes the Child Care Cash Fund, a permanent resource to support Nebraska's workforce and economy by investing in the child care system, which is considered foundational economic infrastructure. The fund, to be managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, will receive money from the state's General Fund, private donations, and other legislative allocations. Its primary purposes are to ensure working families can access child care subsidies, maintain stability for young children in care, and support the long-term viability of child care providers in both urban and rural areas. The fund will be used for the child care subsidy program, covering aspects like continuity of care, timely payments to providers, adequate reimbursement rates, administrative costs, and quality improvement initiatives, but it cannot replace the state's required matching funds for the subsidy. The Department of Health and Human Services will also report annually to the Legislature on the fund's financial activity, the number of families and children served, application data, and reasons for denial.

Budget and Finance

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=63404