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LB 608

Change insurance provisions relating to firefighters and include correctional officers, youth detention officers, certain disabled persons, and their children in the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Eliot Bostar

LB 608 expands insurance protections and tuition waivers for Nebraska's first responders, including firefighters, correctional officers, and their children, to boost recruitment and retention.

Approved by Governor on June 4, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 608

Legislative Bill 608 - Change Insurance Provisions and Expand the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act

Summary

LB 608 makes several changes related to first responders in Nebraska:

  1. Expanding the Definition of Professional Firefighter: The bill expands the definition of "professional firefighter" to include firefighters who provide fire protection services to federal military installations. This ensures these firefighters receive the same insurance protections as other professional firefighters.

  2. Inclusion of Correctional and Youth Detention Officers: LB 608 expands the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act to include correctional officers and youth detention officers, in addition to law enforcement officers and professional firefighters. This provides these additional first responders access to the benefits of the Act.

  3. Tuition Waivers for First Responders and their Children: The bill creates 100% tuition waivers at Nebraska's state postsecondary institutions for:

    • First responders (law enforcement officers, firefighters, correctional officers, youth detention officers)
    • Eligible disabled persons who were first responders
    • Qualifying children of first responders and eligible disabled persons

  4. Partial State Reimbursement for Tuition Waivers: Beginning in 2028, the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education will reimburse state universities 50% of the tuition waivers provided to correctional officers, youth detention officers, eligible disabled persons who were such officers, and their qualifying children.

  5. Definitions and Procedural Details: The bill provides detailed definitions of key terms like "first responder," "eligible disabled person," "qualifying child," and outlines the application and eligibility criteria for the tuition waivers.

Overall, LB 608 aims to expand insurance protections and recruitment/retention incentives for a broader range of first responders in Nebraska, including providing educational benefits for the children of these critical public safety personnel.

Impact

The bill's provisions are expected to:

  • Extend important health insurance protections to more firefighters, correctional officers, and youth detention officers
  • Encourage recruitment and retention of these first responder roles through the offer of tuition waivers
  • Provide educational opportunities for the children of first responders and certain disabled first responders
  • Result in increased costs to the state to fund the 50% reimbursement of tuition waivers, though the exact fiscal impact is not quantified

Overall, LB 608 aims to support Nebraska's first responder workforce and their families through enhanced benefits and incentives.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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