Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill would allow Nebraska to cover supportive housing services through Medicaid by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval. It establishes a "Housing First" approach - providing permanent housing without conditions (like sobriety requirements) paired with voluntary support services such as housing transition, tenancy stabilization, and care coordination. The bill creates a dedicated fund to cover both Medicaid-eligible services and non-Medicaid housing costs (e.g., short-term rental assistance). It directly affects Nebraskans experiencing or at risk of homelessness by expanding access to stable housing with integrated support.
Maddy summaryLB 1045 creates the Nebraska Public Housing Preservation Trust to address deferred maintenance and funding gaps in the state's public housing. The trust, governed by a nine-member board including residents and community representatives, will supplement federal housing funds with dedicated public financing to preserve affordability, prevent displacement, and modernize aging infrastructure. It requires all trust assets to remain permanently dedicated to public housing for low-income residents, with strict rules preventing assets from reverting to the state or transferring to private entities. This bill directly affects local housing agencies managing public housing developments and their residents across Nebraska.
Maddy summaryLB 1215 requires Nebraska government agencies (political subdivisions) to pay prime contractors within 30 days of receiving valid invoices and prime contractors to pay subcontractors within 7 days. It mandates public posting of all $50,000+ procurement solicitations 14 days before bids close on a searchable online calendar, and requires agencies to provide written debriefs to unsuccessful bidders within 10 business days. The bill also creates a public small business procurement checklist and voids contract clauses delaying subcontractor payments. These changes aim to improve transparency and cash flow for contractors, particularly small businesses, and expire on July 1, 2030.
Maddy summaryLB 1214 creates a Nebraska pilot program funding up to five neighborhood data collaboratives through the Department of Health and Human Services. These collaboratives must include at least three neighborhood associations, one nonprofit, and one regional planning organization, and focus on resident-led data projects addressing community priorities. The $250,000 allocated will cover technology, resident training, staffing, and evaluation - not planning - while requiring annual reports to the Legislature on outcomes and scalability. The program directly affects local neighborhood groups, nonprofits, and regional planning bodies by providing resources to build data-driven community initiatives.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires all individuals working in Nebraska's child welfare system - including social workers, investigators, and supervisors - to obtain and maintain a state license for case management. The Foster Care Review Office will oversee licensing, handle complaints about misconduct (like falsifying records), and impose disciplinary actions such as license suspension or revocation for violations. It aims to improve child welfare outcomes by promoting professionalism, reducing inefficiencies that risk federal funding, and ensuring accountability in investigations and foster care placements.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Nebraska correctional facilities to provide educational services to prisoners under 21 years old who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalent. The services must include a minimum curriculum of language arts, social science, science, and mathematics, and may also cover vocational training, computer education, or other subjects. The Director of Correctional Services must ensure these programs meet standards set by the State Department of Education, and the State Board of Education can establish rules to enforce these requirements. The bill repeals the previous law governing educational programming in correctional facilities.
Maddy summaryLB 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.
Maddy summaryThis 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.
Maddy summaryLB 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.