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 a proper appeal request is made, the individual cannot be entered into the registry until a final order is issued by the department. Additionally, the bill mandates that notifications regarding the entry into the registry must be sent at least fourteen days prior to the entry date.

Further amendments include the classification of cases in the child protection registry and the responsibilities of case managers. The bill specifies that case managers must be employees of the department, with the exception of contracted providers for certain prevention cases. It also clarifies the responsibilities of case managers in overseeing case planning, service authorization, and ensuring the health and safety of juveniles. The bill repeals the original sections of the statutes that are being amended, thereby updating the legal framework governing these protective services.

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