This bill amends several sections of Nebraska's statutes related to the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically focusing on the Adult Protective Services Central Registry and the central registry of child protection cases. Key changes include the requirement that individuals who are subject to investigations for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults or children must be notified of their right to contest the determination before being entered into the respective registries. The bill stipulates that if an appeal is properly requested, the individual cannot be entered into the registry until a final order is issued by the department. Additionally, the bill introduces a timeline for notifications, requiring that individuals be informed at least fourteen days prior to their name being entered into the central registry.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the classification of cases within the central registry and establishes that case managers for juvenile cases must be employees of the department, with the exception of contracted providers for certain prevention cases. It also clarifies the responsibilities of case managers, emphasizing the importance of the health and safety of juveniles in care planning and decision-making processes. The bill ultimately aims to enhance the procedural fairness and transparency of the registries while ensuring the protection of vulnerable populations.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 28-374.01, 28-713.01, 28-718, 28-720, 68-1212