Maddy summaryLB 723 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to implement community engagement rules for the medical assistance program strictly as mandated by federal law (42 U.S.C. 1396a(xx)). It directs the department to adopt all available short-term hardship exemptions, use the broadest definition of "medically frail," accept participant statements for verification, and utilize data from programs like SNAP to assess compliance. The bill also establishes an income threshold - automatically deeming individuals with monthly incomes equal to or higher than 80 hours at federal minimum wage as meeting requirements. This applies to Nebraskans enrolled in medical assistance who must comply with federal work or community engagement rules. The bill takes effect immediately upon approval.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 138 changes how pharmacies are paid for dispensing prescriptions under Medicaid. Starting July 1, 2026, independent pharmacies (owning six or fewer locations) and pharmacies as the only option within 30 miles will receive $10.38 per prescription. Other pharmacies will receive tiered fees based on annual prescription volume: $10.38 for under 30,000 prescriptions, $9.51 for 30,000-70,000, and $8.30 for 70,000+ prescriptions. The bill requires the state to conduct cost surveys every two years and adjust fees annually to ensure fair reimbursement for all participating pharmacies.
Maddy summaryThis bill (LB 112) changes Nebraska's rules for issuing "salvage branded" vehicle titles after accidents or total losses. It directly affects vehicle owners, insurance companies, and county treasurers by clarifying when a vehicle gets a salvage title and standardizing the process. Key provisions include redefining terms like "salvage" (based on repair costs exceeding 75% of value) and "structurally totaled" (damage to frame/structural parts), and requiring insurers to obtain titles from owners before applying for salvage branding. If owners keep the vehicle, insurers must notify the state to add the salvage brand to the record, and owners must submit titles to county treasurers within 30 days. The bill also allows insurers to apply for salvage titles without owner titles after 30 days if they’ve made documented attempts to obtain them.
Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 565 updates rules for state agency guidance documents, requiring agencies to publish them online with clear notices stating they are advisory (not binding like formal rules). It mandates agencies to include fiscal impact estimates for businesses and residents, provide annual indexes of all guidance documents, and respond to public requests for revisions within 60 days. The bill revokes all guidance documents issued between July 2022 and July 2025 unless needed for federal compliance, and prohibits guidance from imposing stricter rules than federal standards. These changes apply to all state agencies and directly affect businesses, residents, and local governments subject to agency guidance. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryLB 281 consolidates Nebraska's nursing regulatory structure by eliminating the separate Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and merging its functions into the existing Board of Nursing. This change directly affects nursing professionals, regulatory oversight, and the state's administrative processes for nursing licensure and practice standards. Key mechanisms include amending statutes to redefine "Board" as the single Board of Nursing, removing specific advanced practice nurse membership requirements, and eliminating obsolete provisions. The bill harmonizes board composition rules under one governing body, streamlining oversight for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and advanced practice roles. This is a structural regulatory update with no new practice standards or financial impacts.
Maddy summaryThis bill repeals two outdated Nebraska statutes (sections 68-130 and 81-1139.01) that required counties to maintain office space for the Department of Health and Human Services. It removes an obsolete administrative requirement without creating new obligations or affecting program delivery. The bill directly affects county governments by eliminating a specific maintenance duty related to state health services offices. This is a procedural repeal targeting redundant legal language, not a substantive policy change.
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to set a standard reimbursement rate for personal care service providers serving elderly and disabled Nebraskans under the "aged and disabled personal care services waiver" program. The rate must match the findings of a 2022 CBIZ Optumas study report and be adjusted at least every two years. It directly affects service providers who currently receive reimbursement through this waiver program, ensuring their payments align with the study's recommendations. The policy change aims to standardize payments without specifying new funding levels or eligibility changes.
Maddy summaryLB 255 redirects $1 million annually from Nebraska's Opioid Treatment Infrastructure Cash Fund to support problem-solving courts. It specifically authorizes funding for medication-assisted treatment (using FDA-approved medication combined with counseling and therapy) for individuals with substance use disorders participating in these courts. The bill affects drug, veterans, mental health, and other problem-solving courts across judicial districts, requiring the State Court Administrator to track outcomes and report on recidivism and program access. This policy change explicitly ties fund usage to court-based treatment programs, as amended in sections 24-1302 and 71-2492 of Nebraska law.
Maddy summaryLB 567 requires Nebraska's State Board of Education to create a model policy by December 1, 2025, to help schools strengthen connections with students, families, and communities. The model policy includes four key elements: integrated student supports (like coordinated health and academic services), extended learning opportunities (before/after school and during breaks), collaborative leadership (involving parents, teachers, and community members in decisions), and meaningful family engagement. School districts can adopt their own community engagement policies as long as they align with this state model. The bill directly affects all Nebraska public school districts and aims to improve school-community relationships through structured, evidence-based approaches.
Maddy summaryLB 111 requires insurers to follow specific rules when using nonoriginal equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) parts for vehicle repairs. It prohibits insurers from mandating non-OEM parts without permanent manufacturer identification or if they’re not equal in quality to original parts, and mandates written consumer consent before using non-OEM parts. Insurers must also provide clear notice about non-OEM parts in repair estimates and cannot charge consumers extra for choosing original parts. The bill specifically bars requiring non-OEM parts for vehicles damaged within 36 months of manufacture. Violations are punishable as Class I misdemeanors.