This bill amends the Child Care Licensing Act in Nebraska, specifically focusing on liability insurance requirements and inspection protocols 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 entities to utilize risk retention groups or self-insurance for liability coverage.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the inspection process for child care programs, stating that all inspections will be unannounced, except for initial licensure and consultation visits. Inspectors are required to verify current proof of liability insurance during inspections, and if a licensee fails to provide this proof within three business days, their license will be suspended. 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