This bill amends the Reissue Revised Statutes of Nebraska to prohibit academic tenure at postsecondary educational institutions governed by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges, and community college boards. It mandates that these boards cannot establish or authorize tenure for any new employees who are not already tenured as of the act's effective date. Additionally, the bill requires the boards to implement written policies regarding employee agreements, acceptable grounds for dismissal, annual performance evaluations, and standards for faculty review and discipline. It also outlines the powers and duties of the governing boards, including the authority to appoint and remove faculty, set compensation, and ensure preventive maintenance for facilities.

Moreover, the bill addresses the treatment of permanent employees during staff reductions, stipulating that a permanent employee cannot be laid off while a probationary employee is retained for a position they are qualified to perform. It requires that specific criteria for employee evaluations be included in the reduction-in-force policy. The bill also repeals original sections 85-106, 85-304, 85-1511, and 85-1530, which indicates a significant update to the legal framework governing employment practices in educational institutions, particularly emphasizing the protection of permanent employees without the distinction of tenure status.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 85-106, 85-304, 85-1511, 85-1530