This bill amends various sections of Nebraska's statutes concerning the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly focusing on the Adult Protective Services Central Registry and the Child Protection and Family Safety Act. Key provisions include a requirement for individuals accused of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults to be notified of their right to contest the determination before being entered into the registry. If an appeal request is properly made, the individual cannot be entered into the registry until a final order is issued by the department. The bill also introduces new definitions and clarifications for terms such as "alternative response," "comprehensive assessment," and "prevention case," while repealing outdated language.

Additionally, the bill enhances the notification process for individuals involved in child protection cases, mandating that they receive written notice of the investigation's outcome and their rights, including the right to appeal, at least fourteen days prior to any entry into the central registry. It establishes that the department will maintain records of all reports of child abuse or neglect, classifying them as either court substantiated or agency substantiated. A significant change includes increasing the maximum fee for checking central registry records from three dollars to five dollars, with provisions for waiving the fee in cases of undue financial hardship. The bill also specifies that cases involving minors under twelve years of age will not be entered into the registry, and those involving minors aged twelve to eighteen will not be classified as court pending, further streamlining the legal framework surrounding child protection cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-374.01, 28-713.01, 28-718, 28-720, 68-1212
Final Reading: 28-374.01, 28-710, 28-712, 28-713.01, 28-718, 28-720
Slip Law: 28-374.01, 28-710, 28-712, 28-713.01, 28-718, 28-720