This bill appropriates state funds to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 1237, which is a separate piece of legislation. It allocates $871,419 to the Nebraska State Patrol for fiscal year 2026-27 and $50,000 to the Department of Administrative Services for the same period, with specific limits on how those funds can be spent on salaries and per diems. The bill also updates budget figures for the Legislative Council's services and includes $75,000 from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund to support ongoing health-related research and policy development by the Health and Human Services Committee. Finally, it reappropriates any unspent money from previous budgets and repeals the original section that established these funding levels.
This bill allocates state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 912, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation includes $187,151 from the General Fund and $40,000 from the Professional and Occupational Credentialing Cash Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year, plus an additional $338,010 from the General Fund for 2027-28. These funds are designated for permanent and temporary employee salaries and per diems, with spending limits set at $115,740 for the first year and $162,035 for the second year. The legislation declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval.
LB 962 establishes the Youth Reentry and Transitional Support Act to support youth under 21 exiting juvenile detention, group homes, residential treatment programs, or probation supervision. The law requires state agencies to develop individualized transition plans within 60 days of custody, assign aftercare coordinators for up to 12 months post-release, and create individualized employment plans with career pathways. Key provisions include housing stabilization strategies, continuity of behavioral health and Medicaid services, credible messenger mentoring, and joint meetings between probation officers and coordinators. The program integrates existing state resources across the Department of Health and Human Services, Juvenile Services, Probation Administration, and the Department of Education.
LB 1055 requires Nebraska adult protective services officials - state employees who develop and implement protective services - to complete mandatory training on Alzheimer's and dementia care. The training, at least one hour long, must cover topics like behavioral symptoms, respectful communication, safety risks (including wandering), identifying abuse and neglect, and referral protocols. Officials must complete this training before starting their role or within 30 days of the bill's effective date, and renew it every five years. This bill directly affects state employees in adult protective services roles under Nebraska's Adult Protective Services Act.
This bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to obtain legislative approval before applying for or amending a federal 1915(c) Medicaid waiver that would introduce individual cost limits, reduce total service hours, or narrow eligibility criteria. It also defines "nursing facility level of care" as a Medicaid recipient needing assistance with two or more daily activities in a community setting, provided the waiver program remains cost-neutral. These changes directly affect Medicaid recipients, providers, and the Department of Health and Human Services by regulating waiver modifications and clarifying service standards. The bill harmonizes existing definitions within Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to ensure consistency in Medicaid program administration.
LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.
LB 867 amends multiple Nebraska statutes governing health and human services programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects individuals receiving state benefits, including those in medical assistance, child care, and the "Bridge to Independence" program for young adults. Key changes include eliminating spousal asset requirements for medical assistance, adjusting eligibility for the Bridge to Independence program, modifying child care grant funding, and removing obsolete provisions like the Maternal and Child Health Work Fund. The bill also repeals outdated rules, such as the Nurse Licensure Compact and certain fingerprint requirements under the Uniform Credentialing Act.
LB 1091 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to provide long-term care services (like skilled nursing, nursing facility, and assisted living care) for Medicaid recipients with complex medical needs through fee-for-service Medicaid or other non-risk-based systems - instead of the state's Medicaid managed care program. It directly affects Medicaid recipients with intensive care needs and their healthcare providers, ensuring these services continue outside managed care enrollment. The bill mandates that providers serving these clients cannot be forced to join managed care organizations, while preserving care continuity and preventing increased state costs. Key provisions include defining "special needs" clients and requiring the department to update contracts and rules within six months of the law's effective date.
LB 955 allows pharmacists in Nebraska to form written practice agreements with physician assistants (PAs) who work under collaborative agreements with physicians. These agreements enable PAs to coordinate with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care under specific written protocols for monitored or initiated therapies. The bill requires pharmacists to notify both the Pharmacy Board and the PA's licensing board about agreements, include signed protocols, and review agreements every two years. This change directly affects pharmacists, PAs, and their supervising physicians by creating a formalized process for collaborative patient care.
LB 903 requires case managers in Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to refer families with children under two years old to evidence-based home visitation services when appropriate. This applies to families involved in child welfare cases where a juvenile is under the department's care (either court-ordered or voluntary) or in non-court cases. The bill amends existing law to mandate this referral process, which connects families to existing home visitation programs designed to support early childhood development and family well-being.
