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Legislators consider credentials to speed hiring for after‑school and childcare workers (LB959)
Summary
LB959 would create a youth after‑school credential for 16–17‑year‑olds and a portable adult eligibility passport to streamline background checks and training verification. Supporters said the measures would shorten hiring delays and create career paths; sponsors cited a projected fee revenue model but details need alignment with federal grant rules.
Sen. Merv Reapien introduced LB959 as targeted workforce and systems improvements to support school‑age and youth‑serving childcare programs. The bill would direct DHHS to create two credentials under the Child Care Licensing Act: a youth after‑school credential for 16–17‑year‑olds (training + background checks; no unsupervised contact until fully cleared) and an adult eligibility passport as portable proof of required background checks and training.
Proponents including after‑school networks, school‑district contractors and program directors said the youth credential would allow licensed programs to hire trained teens who are already critical staff in many rural programs. "These 16 and 17‑year‑olds are essential staff that step into real responsibility," said Stephanie Badness of Beyond School Bells.
Supporters argued portability reduces duplication: licenses and fingerprint checks often have to be repeated when employees move between providers. Sponsor testimony included a fiscal projection: the State Patrol estimated about 10,000 applicants a year at a $55 fee, generating approximately $550,000 and a projected net positive of roughly $50,000 after estimated staffing costs; the sponsor noted a potential need to reconcile passport design with federal grant terms.
Committee members asked about juvenile adjudication, *** offender registry questions for minors, reciprocity for out‑of‑state applicants and the conflict between passport portability and federal grant compliance. Testifiers said some implementation details remain to be refined with state agencies.
