This bill amends section 68-1206 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the administration of the federal Child Care Subsidy program by the Department of Health and Human Services in Nebraska. Key provisions include the requirement for the department to file a state plan amendment to pay child care providers based on a child's enrollment or authorized hours rather than attendance. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for families seeking child care assistance, including income thresholds and transitional assistance provisions, which will change based on specified dates.

Additionally, the bill mandates that child care providers comply with criminal history checks and allows for certain accommodations for eligible household members working in licensed child care programs. The department is tasked with adopting a fixed-rate schedule for child care reimbursement and may establish separate rates for different categories of care, including infants and children with special needs. The original section 68-1206 is repealed, indicating a comprehensive update to the existing law governing child care assistance in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1206