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LB 248

Exempt certain programs from child care licensing requirements

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Sanders

LB 248 exempts military base and certain federal-licensed family child care programs from Nebraska's state child care licensing requirements.

Approved by Governor on April 7, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 248

Summary — LB 248 (2025)

Title: Exempt certain programs from child care licensing requirements
Introduced by: Sen. Rita Sanders (45)
Approved by Governor: April 7, 2025

Purpose

LB 248 amends the Child Care Licensing Act to exempt certain child care programs that operate on military bases or other federal property, and facilities licensed as family child care providers by branches of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), from Nebraska's state child care licensing requirements. The stated intent is to recognize and rely on federal licensing/oversight for these programs and to support child care services available to military personnel and their families.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 71-1910 (definitions) of the Revised Statutes:
    • Expands the list of services that are not considered a “program” under the Child Care Licensing Act to include:
    • Programs located on a military base or federal property; and
    • Facilities licensed as a family child care provider by a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Repeals the original Section 71-1910 (Cumulative Supplement, 2024) and replaces it with the amended text above.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected:
    • Family child care homes and other child care programs located on military bases or federal property in Nebraska that are licensed or regulated by DoD or USCG — these will no longer be subject to Nebraska’s Child Care Licensing Act requirements.
  • Indirectly affected:
    • The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (reduced jurisdiction over the exempted programs).
    • Military families using on-base child care (regulatory oversight will be carried out at the federal level rather than by the state).
    • State child care licensors and inspectors (fewer on-site responsibilities for exempt programs).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Reduces dual regulation/duplication where the federal government already licenses or oversees family child care on military installations.
  • Shifts primary oversight and enforcement of standards for exempted programs to federal authorities (DoD/USCG).
  • Does not change federal licensing or safety standards; it only removes state licensing applicability for specified programs.
  • May affect the state’s ability to directly inspect or enforce state-specific child care requirements for those programs.

Legislative timeline & action

  • Introduced: January 14, 2025
  • Referred to Health and Human Services Committee: January 16, 2025
  • Committee hearing: February 5, 2025 (advanced to General File)
  • Advanced through Select and Final Reading; Final Reading passage: March 3, 2025 (47–0–2)
  • Presented to Governor: April 3, 2025
  • Approved by Governor: April 7, 2025 (enacted)

This bill amends the statutory definition of “program” in the Child Care Licensing Act (section 71-1910) to create the specified state licensing exemptions.

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

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