This bill amends the Child Care Licensing Act in Nebraska, specifically focusing on liability insurance requirements for child care providers. It mandates that applicants for a child care license must provide written proof of liability insurance coverage of at least two hundred thousand dollars per occurrence, an increase from the previous requirement of one hundred thousand dollars. Additionally, licensees are required to maintain this level of insurance for the duration of time a child is in their care, with noncompliance resulting in license suspension. The bill also allows state or political subdivision licensees to utilize risk retention groups or self-insurance for their liability coverage.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the inspection and investigation processes for child care programs. It stipulates that all inspections will be unannounced, except for initial licensure and consultation visits, and mandates that inspectors verify current proof of liability insurance during each inspection. If a licensee fails to provide this proof within three business days of being notified, their license will be suspended until compliance is achieved. The bill also includes provisions for national criminal history record checks for child care staff, ensuring that individuals with certain criminal backgrounds are ineligible for employment in child care settings. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the safety and accountability of child care services in Nebraska.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-1911.03, 71-1912, 71-1913