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LB 296

Require the State Department of Education to create a centralized education records system and employ registrars relating to students under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court and change provisions relating to graduation requirements and the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Arch and 1 co-sponsor

LB 296 creates a centralized education records system for court-involved students, with registrars to award credits and the Commissioner to issue diplomas.

Approved by Governor on March 11, 2025
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Bill Summary · LB 296

Summary — LB 296 (Approved March 11, 2025)

Status: Approved by Governor (March 11, 2025). Introduced January 15, 2025. Sponsors: Sen. John Arch (primary); Sen. M. Cavanaugh (cosponsor).

Main purpose

LB 296 is intended to improve educational continuity and outcomes for students who are or have been under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court by (1) creating a centralized statewide education records system, (2) requiring the State Department of Education (SDE) to employ registrars to maintain and review those records, and (3) expanding the Commissioner of Education’s authority to award academic credit and to facilitate diploma issuance for court-involved youth. The bill also updates certain statewide high‑school graduation requirements and adjusts authorized uses of the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund.

Key provisions

  • Centralized records system (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 79-303.01)

    • SDE must create and maintain a centralized education records system for students under juvenile court jurisdiction.
    • The system must allow prompt/immediate transfer of education records; approved/accredited schools must share records with SDE upon request for any student under juvenile court jurisdiction.
    • SDE must employ registrars (on/after July 1, 2026) to ensure records are accurate, promptly updated, and that students’ education services are not disrupted.

  • Credit awarding and recognition

    • Registrars will analyze high‑school records of court‑involved students to determine whether additional credit hours should be awarded.
    • The Commissioner of Education may award credit hours (pursuant to State Board rules) based on evidence of completed academic work; such credits must be recognized by approved/accredited schools and count toward graduation requirements.

  • Diploma authority and options

    • The bill grants the Commissioner new authority related to issuing high school diplomas for students under juvenile court jurisdiction (including provisions referenced in committee reports allowing such students who completed minimum credit hours and were in out‑of‑home placement to request either a diploma from a public school they were enrolled in or a state high‑school diploma).

  • Funding

    • Costs for the centralized records system and registrars are to be paid from the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund.

  • Graduation requirement changes (amendment to § 79-729)

    • Reinforces 200 minimum high‑school credit hours (80% core).
    • Specifies that at least five credits must be a personal finance or financial literacy course (effective school year 2023–24).
    • Starting 2027–28, at least five credits must include computer science and technology education as required by § 79‑3304.
    • Retains a provision requiring public high‑school students to complete/submit a FAFSA prior to graduation beginning in 2024–25, subject to exceptions and parental opt‑outs (text partially truncated in source).

  • Interagency coordination

    • Continues requirement for a memorandum of understanding among SDE, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Probation Administration, and State Court Administrator for sharing data relevant to court‑involved students and references consultant recommendations and confidentiality considerations.

Who is affected

  • Primary: students who are or were under juvenile court jurisdiction (including those placed out-of-home).
  • Schools: approved/accredited schools must share records upon request.
  • State Department of Education: responsible for building/maintaining the system and employing registrars.
  • County/state juvenile justice, probation, DHHS, courts: participants in data sharing and coordination.
  • Funding: uses the State Department of Education Improvement Grant Fund to cover system and staffing costs.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • SDE must maintain the centralized system and registrars on or after July 1, 2026.
  • The bill amends Reissue Revised Statutes §§ 79‑303.01, 79‑729, and 79‑1054 and repeals the original sections.
  • Legislative action: Passed Final Reading (48–0–1) on March 6, 2025; presented to Governor March 6; approved March 11, 2025.

Expected impact

  • Aims to reduce educational disruption for court‑involved youth by centralizing records and giving the Commissioner authority to validate and award credits.
  • Facilitates quicker transfers and potentially increases diploma attainment for students impacted by juvenile‑justice involvement.
  • Imposes data‑sharing and record‑management responsibilities on SDE and schools, with associated costs covered by the Improvement Grant Fund.

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

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