This bill (LB 929) amends Nebraska's Medicaid rules to restrict cost-sharing requirements for enrollees. It prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from imposing deductibles, copayments, or similar charges unless federal law mandates them (Section 68-912(6)). If federal requirements apply, the state must implement them no earlier than October 1, 2028, at the lowest amount permitted by federal law (Section 68-912(7)), allow managed care organizations to pay these costs on behalf of enrollees, and prevent providers from denying care due to unpaid charges. The bill directly affects Nebraska Medicaid enrollees by protecting them from unexpected out-of-pocket costs and ensuring access to care.
LB 1124 increases Nebraska's cigarette tax by $1.64 per pack (for ≤20 cigarettes) and redirects the majority of tax proceeds to specific state funds. It directs 97 cents per pack plus $1.25 million annually to the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund for Medicaid programs, addressing smoking-related healthcare costs cited as exceeding $120 million yearly. The bill also allocates remaining funds to outdoor recreation, health services, building renewal, and public safety programs, while requiring the General Fund to receive the equivalent of 52.49 cents per pack. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with Medicaid funding as the primary new focus.
This bill requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to employees who give birth or adopt a child. Full-time state employees would receive six weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees would receive leave proportional to their regular work schedule. The leave must be taken within six months of the child's birth or adoption, and employees must return to their original position or an equivalent role after leave. The bill also prohibits retaliation against employees who use this leave and ensures continued benefits during the leave period.
LB 1235 updates Nebraska's medical cannabis laws by amending the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act. It establishes a patient and caregiver registry, creates a directory of healthcare practitioners who can recommend cannabis, and sets licensing requirements for practitioners and cannabis businesses. The bill introduces sales tax on medical cannabis (separate from marijuana taxes), outlines commission powers for regulation and enforcement, and defines key terms like "qualified patient" and "allowable amount." These changes directly affect medical cannabis patients, their caregivers, healthcare providers, and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.
LB 669 would revise Nebraska's abortion laws by changing consent requirements for patients seeking abortions and modifying civil action rules for abortion-related claims. The bill redefines key terms like "dismemberment abortion" (specifying procedures involving dismembering a living fetus) and "complications associated with abortion" (requiring peer-reviewed statistical evidence). It mandates providers to obtain voluntary, informed consent based on updated standards and allows civil lawsuits against non-physicians performing illegal abortions or encouraging self-abortions. The bill directly affects abortion providers, patients, and healthcare facilities by altering pre-abortion screening protocols and legal accountability. (Note: This is a proposed bill; it has not been enacted as of its 2025 introduction date.)
Nebraska's LB 264 moves specific state funds into the General Fund to support broader state operations. The bill requires transferring $8.25 million from the State Insurance Fund, $25.5 million from the Military Installation Fund, and over $32 million from the Water Recreation Fund, among other specified amounts, by mid-2025 or 2026. These transfers affect state financial accounts, redirecting money from specialized funds like recreation, economic development, and medical spending programs. The bill also eliminates several programs and outdated provisions, but its primary action is reallocating existing state funds.
LB 608 expands Nebraska's First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act to include correctional officers, youth detention officers, certain disabled former first responders, and their children. The bill modifies insurance protections so employers cannot cancel health coverage for line-of-duty injuries or deaths affecting these new categories, mirroring existing rules for firefighters. It also requires the state to partially reimburse public colleges for tuition waivers provided to eligible dependents of qualifying first responders. These changes apply to state and local employers covered under the act, with specific definitions added for "eligible disabled person" and "qualifying child." The law amends multiple sections of Nebraska statutes to implement these updates.
LB 48 establishes a five-year pilot program for Family Resource and Juvenile Assessment Centers in Nebraska's metropolitan cities. These centers will provide free, 24/7 support services - including mental health counseling, family support, educational resources, and trauma-informed care - to youth and families at risk of entering the juvenile justice system. To qualify, centers must partner with community organizations, meet quality standards through a formal designation process, and track outcomes to measure success in preventing justice system involvement. Two centers will be designated under this program, focusing on addressing root causes like family dynamics and mental health through community-driven solutions.
This bill appropriates $1 million from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund for each of fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27 to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The funds are specifically designated for Program 33 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 48 (which establishes Medicaid managed care reforms). The appropriation includes a $60,000 annual cap on salary and per diem expenses for the program. The bill becomes effective September 1, 2025, and directly affects Medicaid program administration.
This bill eliminates numerous state advisory groups, boards, and commissions - including the Climate Assessment Response Committee, Women's Health Initiative Advisory Council, and Palliative Care Act - and removes their funding. It also modifies department responsibilities, such as adjusting the Board of Mental Health Practice and the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill specifically terminates the Whiteclay Public Health Emergency Task Force and streamlines overlapping government structures by repealing obsolete provisions. These changes aim to simplify state agency operations by removing redundant entities and consolidating functions.
