Labor & Employment

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 361: Change provisions of the Nebraska Fair Employment Practice Act to provide for jury trials and prohibit discrimination for exercise of rights under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act

This bill amends Nebraska's Fair Employment Practice Act to prohibit employers from discriminating against workers who report work injuries, file claims, or seek remedies under the state's Workers' Compensation Act. It adds a right to a jury trial in all civil cases brought under the Fair Employment Practice Act, including cases against state and local government employers. The bill also updates legal references to clarify that the Fair Employment Practice Act's protections are supplemental to, not replacing, workers' compensation rights. These changes harmonize the two laws and remove outdated sections from the statute.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer discrimination against workers reporting injuries or using workers' comp, strengthening protections under Fair Employment Practice Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination Workers' Compensation

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 456: Provide for a patient’s waiver for the release of employee hospital and medical records under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act

This bill requires employees filing workers' compensation claims to provide a written waiver allowing employers or insurers to access their prior medical records. It directly affects workers seeking compensation by establishing a process for sharing health information related to their injury claim. The key provision mandates that such waivers must be obtained before insurers can request medical records, with specific exceptions protecting sensitive information like records related to sexual abuse, HIV, reproductive health, or mental health treatment. The bill does not change compensation amounts or eligibility but clarifies access to medical history for claims processing.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employee waiver for medical record access in workers' comp claims, protecting privacy and consent in benefit process90% confidence

Sub-Topics Workers' Compensation

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 578: Change provisions relating to compensation and employment of jail and prison inmates and disbursements of such funds and require payment of the minimum wage for inmates and government employees

LB 578 requires city and county jails and Nebraska's Department of Correctional Services to pay incarcerated individuals the state minimum wage for work performed in correctional facilities. It mandates that administrators establish bank accounts for inmates to receive their wages, replaces outdated wage distribution rules, and ensures inmate labor complies with federal workplace safety standards. The bill also clarifies that inmates' wages cannot displace existing workers or violate local pay standards for similar work. These changes apply to all inmates working in jails or state correctional facilities, directly affecting their compensation and financial management.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates minimum wage for inmate labor in correctional facilities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to improve rehabilitation and inmate rights.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates minimum wage payment and workplace safety compliance for incarcerated workers, extending labor protections to a new group without displacing existing workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Minimum Wage Workplace Safety

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 13: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment relating to child care

Nebraska's LB 13 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment to align with federal child care subsidy program rules. It updates income eligibility thresholds for child care assistance: families with incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level before October 1, 2026, and 130% afterward. The bill also establishes transitional assistance for families who exceed income limits, allowing continued support until their income drops below 85% of state median income or they reach new income caps. This directly affects low-income families seeking child care subsidies and providers participating in the federal program, with cost-sharing based on a sliding scale.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands child care assistance eligibility, supporting working families' ability to maintain employment by reducing a key barrier. Aligns with labor & employment policies that expand worker benefits.80% confidence

Tags Children

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 189: Adopt the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act

LB 189 would establish Nebraska's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, creating a state-administered program providing wage replacement for eligible workers. It directly affects employees of participating employers and self-employed individuals who opt into the program, covering leave for reasons like newborn care, serious health conditions, and military family needs (e.g., caring for a service member on active duty). Key provisions include calculating benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage during a defined base period, with specific coverage for military-related exigencies like deployment preparation or reintegration events. The bill requires employers to participate or allow self-employed individuals to opt in, with benefits funded through employee and employer contributions to a new state-administered fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides paid leave for serious health conditions, improving access to healthcare services by allowing time off without income loss for medical needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes state-administered paid family/medical leave, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights during health/family needs without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 336: Create the Task Force on Supported Employment

LB 336 creates a task force to study barriers and employment opportunities for Nebraskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The task force will review existing reports, identify workforce gaps, and develop actionable recommendations to improve job access while addressing how work hours affect benefits. It must submit a final report with specific solutions to the Legislature and Governor by July 2027. This bill directly affects individuals with disabilities seeking competitive employment and aims to inform future policy changes through structured analysis.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates task force to study barriers and improve employment opportunities for Nebraskans with disabilities, directly addressing job access and benefit impacts to advance employment standards for vulnerable workers.90% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 299: Allow eligible aliens and dependents to receive public benefits relating to employment

Nebraska's LB 299 allows eligible immigrants authorized for employment (under federal rules as of January 1, 2025) and their dependents to access public benefits tied to employment. The bill expands eligibility for benefits like retirement programs (including state employee and school employee plans), unemployment assistance, education financial aid, and health-related support. It requires verification of employment authorization using standard documents (such as work permits or resident cards) but does not change existing definitions of public benefits or limit current eligibility. Dependents of eligible immigrant workers gain access to benefits without regard to their own immigration status. The bill amends multiple Nebraska statutes to implement these changes, effective upon passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state funding for public benefits including unemployment, retirement, and health support by increasing eligibility for employed immigrants.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly includes 'education financial aid' in expanded public benefits, increasing educational access for eligible immigrants.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands access to 'health-related support' for eligible immigrants, directly advancing healthcare access for a new population under public benefits.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationExpands public benefits access for authorized immigrants, aligning with support indicators like providing immigrant services and integration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment, retirement, and health benefits access for eligible immigrants, directly advancing worker benefit access per Labor & Employment policy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization Public Employees Unemployment

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 224: Require paid maternity leave for state employees

LB 224 requires Nebraska state employers to provide paid maternity leave to eligible employees who give birth and assume parental responsibility. Full-time state employees receive 12 weeks of paid leave, while part-time employees get proportional leave based on their regular hours. The bill prohibits retaliation against employees who take leave, mandates return to equivalent positions after leave, and ensures continued benefits during leave - while running concurrently with federal Family and Medical Leave Act protections. It also prohibits using this leave against other accrued leave types like vacation or sick time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state budget allocation for paid maternity leave, increasing government spending on employee benefits and fiscal management of state payroll.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates paid maternity leave for health-related recovery and parental care, aligning with healthcare access and patient rights protections.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires paid maternity leave for state employees, protecting workers' rights and expanding employment benefits per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Paid Leave

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 353: Allow public school employees to join or terminate membership in a labor organization

This bill (LB 353) allows public school employees in Nebraska to join or leave labor unions at any time, without restrictions imposed by existing contracts. It revises a law governing union dues deductions by requiring written authorization from employees that can be revoked at any time, and removes language that previously bound employees to dues deductions. The bill repeals the old version of the law to align with these changes, ensuring employees retain full control over their union membership status. It directly affects all public school employees covered by collective bargaining agreements in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables public school employees to freely join/leave unions, supporting teacher labor rights and autonomy within education context, aligning with 'supports teachers' indicator.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentGrants public school employees full control over union membership and dues, removing restrictions and requiring revocable written authorization, protecting workers' rights to choose union affiliation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 698: Change provisions of the Nebraska Healthy Families and Workplaces Act

LB 698 amends Nebraska's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act to update definitions and enforcement. It expands employee coverage by removing exclusions for agricultural workers and those working fewer than 80 hours yearly, while clarifying "small business" as employers with 11-19 employees. The bill increases penalties for violations (up to $5,000 for repeat offenses), requires public posting of citations (excluding contested cases), and strengthens employee lawsuit rights by allowing recovery of attorney fees. These changes directly affect small employers (11-19 workers) and their employees regarding paid sick leave and enforcement.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands coverage to excluded agricultural workers and low-hour employees, increases penalties for violations, and strengthens lawsuit rights under workplace protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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