This legislative bill amends various sections of the Nebraska Revised Statutes to enhance student protection, attendance policies, and school enrollment processes. Key provisions include prohibiting the transfer or disenrollment of students during active investigations of child abuse or neglect involving a parent or educational decision-maker, with the Department of Health and Human Services required to notify the relevant school district and the Commissioner of Education. The bill also mandates the development of written attendance policies by school districts in collaboration with county attorneys, ensuring that excessive absences due to illness are not penalized. Additionally, it introduces new definitions and requirements regarding educational decision-makers and exempt schools while eliminating outdated provisions related to grants and evaluations.

Further amendments focus on part-time enrollment and extracurricular participation, requiring school boards to allow part-time enrollment for students in private or non-accredited schools and establishing policies for participation in extracurricular activities. The bill also sets new hiring requirements for school districts regarding individuals with regular student contact, mandating detailed employment history disclosures and allowing for immediate termination if disqualifying information is found post-hire. Other significant updates include the creation of a Nebraska Teacher Apprenticeship Program, new regulations for private schools, changes to property tax request submission deadlines, and the establishment of the K-12 Education Cybersecurity Act to enhance cybersecurity measures in educational institutions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 79-239, 79-308, 79-528, 79-816, 79-1035, 79-3407, 79-3703, 79-3704
Final Reading: 28-710, 79-209, 79-239, 79-308, 79-528, 79-816, 79-1035, 79-1054, 79-1248, 79-1601, 79-3407, 79-3501, 79-3703, 79-3704
Slip Law: 28-710, 79-209, 79-239, 79-308, 79-528, 79-816, 79-1035, 79-1054, 79-1248, 79-1601, 79-3407, 79-3501, 79-3703, 79-3704