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NebraskaLB257109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Change licensure and scope of practice provisions regarding marriage and family therapy and occupational therapy and licensure requirements under the Child Care Licensing Act

Sponsored By: Dan Quick

Signed by Governor

Health and Human Services Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Faster licensing for out-of-state marriage therapists

Nebraska now licenses marriage and family therapists who hold a valid, independent license in another U.S. state. You must apply, pay the fees, and pass the Nebraska jurisprudence exam. The state also issues a Nebraska certificate to use the title if you meet the same rules. This helps licensed therapists start work in Nebraska faster.

Occupational therapy licensing and temporary practice

Applicants must finish an accredited OT education program and take the national exam. Foreign-trained applicants must show equivalent education, prove English skill, and pass the exam. A temporary license is allowed while waiting for the exam, but only with an OT’s oversight. It ends at licensure, denial, 180 days, or if you fail; extensions cannot go past one year total. The act also repeals older sections and replaces them with the new framework.

Child care insurance and proof checks

Licensed child care providers must carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance per occurrence. Inspectors check current proof during inspections. If proof is missing or coverage lapsed, the provider has three business days to show proof. If not, the state suspends the license until insurance is verified. Government providers may self-insure or use risk pools.

More occupational therapy treatments with training rules

Occupational therapists may offer more services, like virtual care, assistive tech, wound care, and driver rehab. They can use heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and other instrument-assisted methods if they are trained and certified. Dry needling is allowed only after board-approved education and a certificate. OTs may insert or remove oxygen cannulas and adjust flow with a doctor’s order. OTs cannot diagnose medical diseases, use diathermy, or do thrust joint manipulation. OT assistants need board-approved training and on-site supervision to set up certain modalities, and aides cannot provide OT services. The board sets training and competency rules, and therapists must document their proficiency.

Child care background checks and hiring bans

Providers may not employ staff who refuse required background checks, lie on them, are on a sex‑offender registry, or have disqualifying crimes. Employing ineligible staff makes the provider ineligible for a license and the child care subsidy program. Background checks are portable between providers. Background check data can be used only for licensing or subsidy approval. The department writes the rules to run these checks.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dan Quick

    Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 321 • No: 15

legislature vote • 5/14/2025

Final Reading

Yes: 46 • No: 3

legislature vote • 4/23/2025

Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 6 • Other: 12

legislature vote • 3/31/2025

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7

legislature vote • 3/31/2025

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 3/31/2025

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 31 • No: 6 • Other: 12

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • Unknown

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Provisions/portions of LB630 amended into LB257 by AM866

    6/6/2025legislature

  2. Provisions/portions of LB274 amended into LB257 by AM947

    6/6/2025legislature

  3. Approved by Governor on May 20, 2025

    5/20/2025legislature

  4. Presented to Governor on May 14, 2025

    5/14/2025legislature

  5. President/Speaker signed

    5/14/2025legislature

  6. Passed on Final Reading 46-3-0

    5/14/2025legislature

  7. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    5/14/2025legislature

  8. Enrollment and Review ST24 recorded

    4/29/2025legislature

  9. Enrollment and Review ST24 filed

    4/29/2025legislature

  10. Placed on Final Reading with ST24

    4/29/2025legislature

  11. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    4/23/2025legislature

  12. Hunt AM947 adopted

    4/23/2025legislature

  13. Enrollment and Review ER37 adopted

    4/23/2025legislature

  14. Hunt AM947 to ER37 filed

    4/14/2025legislature

  15. Enrollment and Review ER37 filed

    4/8/2025legislature

  16. Placed on Select File with ER37

    4/8/2025legislature

  17. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/31/2025legislature

  18. Hansen AM866 adopted

    3/31/2025legislature

  19. Hansen AM866 filed

    3/31/2025legislature

  20. Quick AM850 adopted

    3/31/2025legislature

  21. Quick AM850 filed

    3/31/2025legislature

  22. Placed on General File

    3/18/2025legislature

  23. Quick priority bill

    3/12/2025legislature

  24. Notice of hearing for February 07, 2025

    1/24/2025legislature

  25. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee

    1/16/2025legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    1/14/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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