LB 1132 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment with federal authorities to add coverage for long-acting injectable and extended-release medications under the Medicaid program. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who require these specific medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The bill amends the Medical Assistance Act to mandate this coverage, aligning with federal Medicaid requirements. The key mechanism is the state's obligation to seek federal approval for the coverage change through a formal plan amendment. This is a policy change to expand existing Medicaid benefits, not a new program.
LB 1098 requires Nebraska's Department of Transportation to create and maintain a State Rail Plan by June 2027, with annual updates and Governor approval. The plan must detail current passenger rail service, track upgrade needs, strategies to boost rail capacity, and federal grant opportunities, while incorporating public feedback and economic development considerations. This law directs state agencies to coordinate rail planning under federal guidelines, without authorizing new funding or directly affecting specific businesses or residents.
LB 1243 allows Nebraska public school districts to permit students enrolled in private, denominational, or parochial schools (or schools not meeting accreditation standards) to take courses part-time at public schools. It requires school boards to establish policies for such enrollment, including mandating a minimum of five credit hours per semester for students participating in public school athletic/activities programs, while prohibiting preference based on full-time status. The bill explicitly states part-time students do not qualify for public school transportation or reimbursement, and it repeals the previous version of this law. This directly affects students in non-accredited private schools seeking public school course access and public school districts managing enrollment policies.
LB 1039 prohibits school resource officers and security guards in Nebraska public schools from administering corporal punishment to students. The bill requires schools to establish written agreements with these personnel that include mandatory 20-hour training on de-escalation, implicit bias, student rights, and trauma-informed practices. It also mandates schools to maintain records of student referrals to law enforcement and establish clear policies for notifying parents and advising students of their rights during questioning. The bill directly affects all K-12 schools employing resource officers or security guards, extending prohibitions on corporal punishment to these roles.
LB 819 amends Nebraska's Rural and Middle Income Workforce Housing Investment Acts to update key definitions and program rules. It specifically revises the cost limits for qualifying workforce housing: owner-occupied units must cost no more than $375,250 (adjusted annually for inflation), and rental units no more than $325,000. The bill also requires nonprofit developers applying for grants to provide 25% matching funds and caps annual grants at $5 million per organization over two years. These changes directly affect rural communities seeking housing development funding and nonprofit organizations managing workforce housing investment funds.
Nebraska's LB 950 standardizes prior authorization forms for health care services and strengthens health data sharing. It requires all health care providers to use a single, two-page uniform form for prescription drugs, medical equipment, and other services starting January 1, 2026, with utilization review agents (like insurers) required to accept these forms. The bill also mandates that health care facilities share clinical data through the designated health information exchange by January 1, 2027, to support public health reporting and care coordination. These changes directly affect health care providers, insurers, and the Health Information Technology Board, aiming to simplify administrative processes and improve data accessibility.
LB 1046 requires Nebraska schools to create policies allowing high school athletes (called "student-participants") to monetize their name, image, and likeness (NIL) while maintaining athletic eligibility. The bill mandates that schools prohibit NIL activities using school property, during school hours, or promoting alcohol, gambling, or illegal content, and requires students to disclose NIL agreements to school officials for review. Schools must also provide education on financial and tax implications of NIL deals. These policies must be adopted by the 2027-28 school year, with schools unable to penalize students for compliant NIL activities. The bill directly affects high school athletes participating in interscholastic sports or activities.
LB 1184, the Nebraska Tribal College Investment Act, creates a state fund to provide matching grants to Nebraska tribal colleges (specifically 1994 Institutions located in Nebraska) for high-demand educational programs. The bill requires tribal colleges to secure new private funding commitments before applying for grants, with the state matching those private funds up to the same amount. The Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education will administer the fund and disburse grants by January 1 each year. This act directly affects tribal colleges by enabling them to expand accessible, in-demand education programs through public-private partnerships. The fund is financed by legislative transfers and private contributions, with unused funds invested per state investment rules.
LB 1093 redefines "excavation" under Nebraska's One-Call Notification System Act to clarify which activities require utility notification before digging. The bill explicitly includes activities like trenching, drilling, and pipe plowing while excluding specific scenarios: normal road maintenance (without grade changes), agricultural tilling, grave digging, railroad track maintenance (without grade changes), and small hand digging (up to 18 inches) by telecom providers for customer connections. This change directly affects construction companies, utility contractors, farmers, railroad operators, and telecommunications service providers. The redefinition aims to reduce unnecessary notifications for routine tasks while maintaining safety protocols for most digging activities.
LB 1180 creates a new licensing system for companies providing intrastate Medicaid nonemergency medical transportation services in Nebraska. It directly affects transportation providers serving Medicaid patients by exempting their rates from regulation by the Public Service Commission. Key provisions include redefining "common carrier" to exclude Medicaid transportation providers and establishing license requirements under Section 75-311. The bill removes the need for rate approval by the Public Service Commission for these services when rates are set through agreements with state agencies.
This bill requires Nebraska public and private (including denominational and parochial) high schools to create policies allowing seventh and eighth graders to participate in high school sports under specific conditions. Students must have coach-approved skill levels (with extra safety checks for contact sports), a medical evaluation (with extra checks for contact sports), and parental written consent. Once a student participates in high school sports under this policy, they lose eligibility for middle school sports in that sport. The requirement applies to all schools and takes effect for the 2026-27 school year.
LB 1112 requires Nebraska schools to adopt a uniform statewide grading system for all credit-bearing courses in grades 3-12, applying equally to resident students and enrollment option students. It mandates a single statewide grading scale, consistent rules for calculating grades (including late assignments and rounding), and alignment with state academic standards. Schools must implement this system starting in the 2027-2028 school year, publish the grading scale in student handbooks and on websites, and report grades to the State Department of Education in a standardized format. The bill aims to reduce inequities for students transferring between districts or applying for scholarships by ensuring consistent academic measurement across all public, private, parochial, and denominational schools.
