LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would help Nebraska qualify for more federal foster care money has won first-round approval from lawmakers.
The measure is part of the state's ongoing child welfare reforms. Recent reports to the Legislature have shown that Nebraska is not collecting all the federal aid for which it could qualify.
The bill would direct the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to develop new rules to help more foster care homes qualify for state licenses. The licenses are a key requirement for federal aid.
The department would also have to write policies that would allow the state to seek more federal reimbursement for child-care maintenance costs, such as clothing and school supplies.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Kathy Campbell, of Lincoln.
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The bill is LB269
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