This bill amends sections 68-1206 and 68-1724 of the Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024, concerning the federal Child Care Subsidy program in Nebraska. A significant change is the elimination of a sunset date, which previously limited the duration of certain provisions. The bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services to provide child care assistance to families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level without the previous restrictions tied to specific dates. Additionally, it introduces a provision for transitional child care assistance for families whose income exceeds this threshold, ensuring they can continue to receive support until their income surpasses 85% of the state median income.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the requirements for child care providers participating in the federal Child Care Subsidy program, including compliance with criminal history checks. It also establishes a fixed-rate schedule for child care payments and mandates collaboration with a nonprofit organization for an independent evaluation of the income eligibility changes. The bill emphasizes that no General Funds will be used for the costs associated with these changes, except for administrative expenses, and it aims to ensure that families can access necessary child care support as they transition out of cash assistance programs.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1206, 68-1724