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NebraskaLB304109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Eliminate a sunset date for the federal Child Care Subsidy program and state intent regarding funding

Sponsored By: Wendy DeBoer

Signed by Governor

Health and Human Services Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Child care help for families: limits and extensions

Before October 1, 2026, families qualify for child care help up to 185% of the federal poverty level. On and after October 1, 2026, the cap is 130% of the federal poverty level. If your income goes over the cutoff, you keep help through the rest of your eligibility period or until your income is over 85% of the state median for your family size. After that, transitional help is allowed if your income is under 200% FPL before October 1, 2026, or under 185% FPL on/after that date; it ends once you pass 85% of the state median. Your share uses a sliding scale, and for families leaving cash assistance it can be up to the rates in place January 1, 2015. After 12 straight months on the program, 10% of your gross earned income is not counted at each renewal.

How Nebraska funds child care help

From July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2026, Nebraska uses federal Child Care and Development Block Grant money to pay state costs from the 2021 eligibility changes. If that money is not enough, TANF funds can be used. During this period, General Funds cannot pay those costs except for administration. Beginning October 1, 2026, the Legislature states its intent to use the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund for these costs.

Rules for child care workers and programs

Beginning July 1, 2025, licensed child care programs that employ an eligible parent must make reasonable changes so the parent is not the child’s primary caregiver; if that is not possible, the agency must still allow assistance for the child. Also starting July 1, 2025, a licensed provider eligible for the subsidy may enroll a household member’s child in another licensed program and still receive assistance. Any provider that joins the subsidy program must meet the criminal background check rules in the Child Care Licensing Act.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Wendy DeBoer

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 202 • No: 72

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 24 • Other: 7

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 5 • Other: 2

legislature vote • 4/10/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 43 • No: 6

legislature vote • 3/30/2026

Vote

Yes: 39 • No: 8 • Other: 2

legislature vote • 3/30/2026

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 5 • Other: 2

legislature vote • 3/30/2026

Vote

Yes: 18 • No: 24 • Other: 7

Actions Timeline

  1. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  2. Approved by Governor on April 14, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  3. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/10/2026legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading 43-6-0

    4/10/2026legislature

  5. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2026legislature

  6. Placed on Final Reading

    4/8/2026legislature

  7. Enrollment and Review ER176 adopted

    4/7/2026legislature

  8. DeBoer MO535 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  9. DeBoer MO536 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  10. DeBoer MO537 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  11. DeBoer FA460 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  12. DeBoer FA1090 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  13. DeBoer FA1091 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  14. DeBoer FA1092 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  15. DeBoer FA1093 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  16. DeBoer MO538 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  17. Cavanaugh, M. FA1100 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  18. Cavanaugh, M. FA1101 withdrawn

    4/7/2026legislature

  19. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    4/7/2026legislature

  20. Placed on Select File with ER176

    4/1/2026legislature

  21. Enrollment and Review ER176 filed

    4/1/2026legislature

  22. Kauth AM2902 to AM2065 filed

    3/30/2026legislature

  23. DeBoer MO532 pending

    3/30/2026legislature

  24. DeBoer MO532 withdrawn

    3/30/2026legislature

  25. DeBoer MO533 withdrawn

    3/30/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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