This bill amends section 68-1206 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, to enhance the federal child care subsidy program in Nebraska. It establishes a pilot program aimed at providing child care assistance specifically for the child care workforce, which will commence on October 1, 2025, and conclude on September 30, 2028. Eligible households must have an income at or below eighty-five percent of the state median income and include a member who is actively employed in the child care sector. The bill also outlines that these households will remain eligible for assistance for twelve continuous months without a cost-share obligation, provided they maintain employment in the child care industry.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to submit an annual report to the Legislature detailing participation in the pilot program, including metrics such as the number of enrolled children and households, and program expenditures. The bill includes several insertions, such as the requirement for the pilot program and the specific eligibility criteria for households, while deleting outdated provisions regarding transitional child care assistance eligibility. The original section 68-1206 is repealed, indicating a comprehensive update to the law governing child care assistance in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1206