Health and Human Services Committee
February 5, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Brian Hardin | Bills Heard: 4 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB154: Clarify cerumen removal and tinnitus care in hearing instrument specialist scope of practice
Introduced by: Sen. Brian Hardin | Testimony: 2 proponents, 4 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Hardin seeks to expand hearing aid specialists' scope to include earwax removal, but audiologists warn of safety gaps and scope creep. LB154 would allow licensed hearing instrument specialists to remove cerumen and activate tinnitus maskers after additional training. The bill emerged from a lengthy 407 credentialing review that incorporated stakeholder feedback. Why it matters: Cerumen impaction affects millions annually; removing barriers could improve access in rural Nebraska. But the state Board of Health voted 10-1 against the original 407 application, and audiologists argue the bill's language is vague and inappropriately restricts their own scope. What they're saying: Proponents say HIS already perform this work daily and deserve clear legal authority. Opponents counter that the bill lacks adequate safety guardrails—particularly for tinnitus care, which one specialist called inadequate for patients with complex psychiatric needs. A dually licensed audiologist-HIS testified the bill's language is misaligned with its stated intent and offered amendments that were not engaged until after introduction. What's next: No vote was taken. The bill remains in committee.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Merv Riepe Unclear: Sen. John Fredrickson
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB274: Strengthen liability insurance requirements for licensed childcare providers
Introduced by: Sen. Megan Hunt | Testimony: 3 proponents, 0 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Hunt advances bill to close childcare insurance loophole after family's $175,000 medical disaster. LB274 requires DHHS to verify ongoing liability coverage during inspections and raises minimum coverage from $100,000 to $200,000 per occurrence. The bill stems from the Johnson family's experience: their 6-month-old suffered a fractured jaw and severe concussion when dropped at a licensed Omaha daycare—which had allowed its liability insurance to lapse months earlier. Why it matters: Current law requires proof of insurance only at licensure; no ongoing verification occurs despite statute mandating maintenance. The family's medical bills exceed $175,000, with costs continuing to rise. What they're saying: Proponents argue childcare is a business with vulnerable populations and should be held to the same standards as other state-licensed providers. The Johnsons advocated for the $200,000 increase, noting that back surgery alone cost over $120,000. First Five Nebraska testified neutrally, acknowledging the bill's importance while noting that providers face rising premiums and may struggle with higher coverage requirements. By the numbers: $100,000 minimum set in 2013; at 6% inflation, that's equivalent to ~$192,500 today. Colorado requires $1 million. What's next: No vote was taken. Online comments: 4 proponents, 4 opponents, 0 neutral.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Merv Riepe, Sen. John Fredrickson, Sen. Dan Quick
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB248: Exempt certain federal childcare programs from Nebraska licensing requirements
Introduced by: Sen. Rita Sanders | Testimony: 1 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Sanders seeks to streamline military childcare by exempting DOD programs from state licensing. LB248 would exempt Department of Defense childcare programs on federal properties from Nebraska licensing requirements, recognizing that DOD standards often exceed state requirements. Why it matters: Military families face unnecessary duplication: providers must meet both Nebraska and DOD criteria, complete two inspections, and submit two applications. This burden has driven military spouses away from DOD certification. What they're saying: Lt. Col. Andersen testified that DOD standards are more stringent—including 5x higher liability insurance, monthly unannounced inspections (vs. Nebraska's annual), and smaller child ratios. Streamlining would increase family childcare providers and expand options for military families at Offutt Air Force Base. By the numbers: Offutt had 25+ family childcare providers at Minot Air Force Base; currently has fewer due to dual licensing burden. What's next: No vote was taken. Online comments: 2 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral. Sanders waived closing.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Merv Riepe
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB374: Create licensure for certified professional midwives
Introduced by: Sen. Ben Hansen | Testimony: 20 proponents, 6 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Hansen's midwifery bill draws record testimony as committee weighs safety against access. LB374 would license certified professional midwives in Nebraska, making it the 39th state to do so. The bill establishes rigorous training standards—55 supervised births, 7-hour written exam, neonatal resuscitation certification—and permits CPMs to administer certain medications and perform newborn screening. Why it matters: Home births have surged 60% nationally; Nebraska's rural maternal health deserts leave families without trained birth attendants. But neonatal mortality for home births runs 2-3 times higher than hospitals, according to opponents, and CPM training (55 births) pales against OB-GYN standards (1,000+ deliveries). What they're saying: Proponents—mostly mothers, nurses, and some physicians—cite research showing outcomes comparable to hospital births for low-risk pregnancies and note that racial disparities in maternal mortality shrink with out-of-hospital midwifery care. Opponents, led by maternal medicine physicians and neonatologists, warn that complications arise unpredictably and that CPMs lack training for emergencies like shoulder dystocia, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal resuscitation. They note the State Board of Health voted 10-1 against the 407 application. By the numbers: 341 online proponents, 122 opponents, 6 neutral. What's next: No vote was taken. Hansen delivered lengthy closing rebuttal citing recent ACOG position statements supporting CPM licensure and research from British Medical Journal and National Library of Medicine showing comparable outcomes.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. John Fredrickson, Sen. Merv Riepe, Sen. Dan Quick Unclear: Sen. Beau Ballard
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
The committee heard four bills in special order to accommodate testifiers. LB374 (midwifery) generated record testimony with 341 online proponents. The hearing lasted approximately 8 hours. Chair Hardin announced that overflow testifiers would be moved to room 2102 due to space constraints. Committee members present: Sen. Merv Riepe (District 12), Sen. Ben Hansen (District 16), Sen. John Fredrickson (District 20), Sen. Dan Quick (District 35), Sen. Beau Ballard (District 21). Research analyst Bryson Bartels and clerk Barb Dorn assisted. Pages were Sydney Cochran and Tate Smith. Chair Hardin noted that weather conditions were poor and thanked testifiers for attending. No votes were taken on any bills during this hearing.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.