This bill amends the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act in Nebraska by broadening the definition of "first responder" to include correctional officers and youth detention officers, alongside law enforcement officers and professional firefighters. It introduces new terms such as "eligible disabled person" and "qualifying child," and establishes tuition waivers for first responders and their qualifying children attending state universities, colleges, or community colleges. To qualify for these waivers, first responders and eligible disabled persons must meet specific performance criteria and provide necessary documentation. The bill also ensures that health insurance policies cannot be canceled for first responders injured on duty and offers protections for the dependents of those who die in the line of duty.

Additionally, the bill outlines that applications for tuition waivers must include a verification certificate from the first responder's or disabled person's superior officer. It guarantees that if a first responder dies in the line of duty after applying for a waiver, their qualifying child remains eligible, provided they submit the required documentation. The bill specifies that tuition waivers for children of correctional officers and youth detention officers will be available starting July 1, 2027, and only for state universities. It establishes a five-year eligibility period for qualifying children to receive waivers, mandates timely notification of eligibility status by educational institutions, and details the reimbursement process for state universities regarding these waivers. The bill also replaces references to "legal dependents" with "qualifying children" and repeals certain outdated sections of law to streamline the benefits and protections for first responders.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 44-314, 85-2601, 85-2602, 85-2603, 85-2603.01, 85-2605
Final Reading: 44-314, 85-2601, 85-2602, 85-2605, 85-2604, 85-2606, 85-2607, 85-2608
Slip Law: 44-314, 85-2601, 85-2602, 85-2605, 85-2604, 85-2606, 85-2607, 85-2608