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LB 22

Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment for evidence-based nurse home-visitation services

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Danielle Conrad and 1 co-sponsor

Nebraska will seek federal approval to fund evidence‑based nurse home‑visitation via Medicaid, using the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and setting standards for state‑fu

Provisions/portions of LB104 amended into LB22 by AM348
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Bill Summary · LB 22

Summary — LB 22 (2025): State Plan Amendment for Evidence‑Based Nurse Home‑Visitation Services; Family Home Visitation Act

Purpose

LB 22 requires the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to seek federal approval (via a Medicaid state plan amendment or waiver) to provide targeted case management for evidence‑based nurse home‑visitation services. The bill also creates the Family Home Visitation Act, sets minimum standards for state‑funded home visitation programs, and states the Legislature’s intent for funding these services from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund (not the General Fund).

Key provisions

  • Creates the Family Home Visitation Act (Sections 1–9):
    • Defines “home visitation program” (voluntary, primarily in‑home services for pregnant persons or families with children up to five years old).
    • Requires state funding only for evidence‑based programs that meet program‑model, staffing, training, fidelity, quality‑improvement, and community‑linkage standards.
    • Specifies program goals (improve maternal/child health, reduce preterm birth and maltreatment, support development and school readiness, promote self‑sufficiency, etc.).
    • Allows program funds to be used for workforce development and certification.
    • Excludes single or infrequent one‑time visits; families may decline services.
    • Directs DHHS rulemaking authority and establishes reporting requirements (see below).
  • Requires DHHS to seek federal matching funds via a state plan amendment to implement targeted case management for evidence‑based nurse home visiting.
    • Eligibility (as amended): limited to postpartum mothers and children less than six months of age enrolled in Medicaid (AM102); CHIP participation was removed.
  • Funding:
    • Legislature expresses intent to use the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to support these services.
    • Amendment (AM258) specifies funds are not to be drawn from the General Fund.
  • Reporting:
    • DHHS must submit electronic reports (to Clerk of the Legislature and post on DHHS website) beginning no later than February 15, 2026 and again through February 15, 2028, including program type/location, outcomes, families served, demographics, expenditures, model descriptions, eligibility and waitlist information, and training credentials.

Implementation timeline

  • DHHS required to seek federal approval no later than October 1, 2025 (committee language).
  • Initial state reporting due by February 15, 2026; reporting continues through February 15, 2028.

Who is affected

  • DHHS (program design, SPA/waiver submission, reporting, regulation).
  • Medicaid‑enrolled postpartum mothers and infants (eligible group after AM102 limits).
  • Home‑visitation providers (nurses, social workers, early childhood professionals, trained lay workers) and their workforce/certification pathways.
  • Entities administering the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and participating managed care organizations.
  • Local public health agencies and community providers engaged in home visitation.

Procedural history / status

  • Introduced Jan 9, 2025 (Sen. George Dungan; cosponsor Sen. Conrad).
  • Committee amendments adopted (AM102, AM258); Raybould AM348 later incorporated additional Family Home Visitation Act language.
  • Passed Final Reading 47–0–2 (April 3, 2025).
  • Approved by Governor April 9, 2025 (now law).
  • Multiple fiscal notes were prepared (dates listed in legislative record).

Notes

  • The law emphasizes evidence‑based program fidelity and workforce supports and seeks federal matching dollars to maximize state resources.
  • Exact fiscal impacts depend on DHHS implementation decisions and federal approval of the state plan amendment; several fiscal notes have been filed but are not included here.

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

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