Rep. John Fredrickson

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on play therapy access for children and families in the state. The study will examine evidence on play therapy effectiveness, current regulations, billing challenges, required credentials, and how other states handle this mental health intervention. The committee will review potential policy changes and determine if additional state funding is needed, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature. This measure focuses on gathering information to inform future decisions rather than implementing immediate policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates state funds to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 972, which was introduced in the 2026 session of Nebraska's legislature. The appropriations are distributed across three state agencies: the Department of Revenue receives funding for salary and per diem expenses, while the Military Department and Department of Motor Vehicles receive funds restricted to non-salary purposes. Specific amounts are designated for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, with salary limits set for the Department of Revenue and no salary expenditures allowed for the other two agencies.

Maddy summaryLB 972 amends Nebraska's vehicle and licensing laws to update rules for designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, requiring clearer signage and including out-of-state permits. It changes license suspension penalties for certain traffic violations to license revocation, modifies boat title bond requirements, and introduces "Choice Color Plates" as a new license plate option while ending special interest plates. The bill also eliminates snowmobile safety certificate requirements and updates military service provisions for license holders. These changes directly affect disabled drivers, vehicle owners, and license applicants across Nebraska. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and modernizing existing vehicle regulations without creating new substantive requirements.

Maddy summaryNebraska bill LB 1217 allows public, private, denominational, and parochial schools to keep epinephrine (approved by the FDA) on hand for emergency use. The bill authorizes schools to administer epinephrine to students experiencing allergic reactions, directly affecting school staff and students with severe allergies. Schools must obtain authorization from the State Department of Education to maintain epinephrine in emergency first aid situations. This policy change simplifies access to life-saving treatment during allergic emergencies without requiring individual prescriptions for each student.

Maddy summaryLB 858 allocates $2.1 million annually from state General Funds to seven specific federally qualified community health centers in Nebraska (including Charles Drew Health Center and OneWorld Community Health Centers) for general services, with each center receiving $300,000. It also provides $1.4 million for dental services ($200,000 per center) and $750,000 from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund distributed proportionally based on each center's previous year's uninsured client count. An additional $500,000 from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund is allocated for FY2026-27 to expand services like behavioral health or dental care, with funding tied to the Uniform Data System Report. The bill directs these funds to increase health care access through existing or new services, locations, equipment, or capital projects at the seven centers.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Maddy summaryNebraska's LB 1163 amends rules for Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) liens on properties. It changes how delinquent annual PACE assessments become liens: for single-family homes, liens are recorded immediately upon assessment (not when delinquent), while non-residential properties require recording after delinquency. The bill clarifies lien priority - PACE liens rank below prior mortgages for single-family homes but match tax lien status for other properties - and specifies that delinquent PACE assessments may be extinguished in foreclosure if sale proceeds are insufficient. This directly affects property owners with PACE financing, particularly those selling or facing foreclosure on qualifying energy-efficiency projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires all Nebraska state legislators to complete a civics assessment within 90 days of taking office. The assessment consists of 20 randomly selected questions based on the U.S. Naturalization Test, with scores published publicly on the Legislature's website and each member's official biography. Completion is mandatory but passing is not required; scores do not affect a member's ability to hold office. Legislators who do not pass may be offered a voluntary civic literacy seminar, but results remain confidential for individual questions. The Clerk of the Legislature administers the test and certifies scores.

Maddy summaryThis is a legislative resolution (not a bill) designating Nebraska's Legislative Oversight Committee to review child welfare efficiency practices. The committee will investigate how these practices affect child safety, service quality from the Department of Health and Human Services (specifically its Children and Family Services division), and workforce stability. The committee must issue a report by December 1, 2026, covering topics like federal compliance, staffing impacts, service continuity, and the effectiveness of past consultant recommendations. It does not create new laws but directs an existing committee to assess current practices.

Maddy summaryLB 1132 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment with federal authorities to add coverage for long-acting injectable and extended-release medications under the Medicaid program. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who require these specific medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The bill amends the Medical Assistance Act to mandate this coverage, aligning with federal Medicaid requirements. The key mechanism is the state's obligation to seek federal approval for the coverage change through a formal plan amendment. This is a policy change to expand existing Medicaid benefits, not a new program.